Ryedale trainer David O’Meara and former Norton apprentice Gihan Arnolda, now working as a chef, have been shortlisted for the annual career development awards of the Jockeys’ Employment & Training Scheme (JETS), writes Tom O’Ryan.

The awards are designed to reward jockeys for their initiative, effort and forethought in developing a career after race riding.

O’Meara has been shortlisted for The Griffins Richard Davis Achievement Award, worth £2,750, which goes to the jockey or former jockey judged to have achieved the most in developing a second career over the past year. Arnolda is in line for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund Progress Award, worth £2,000, which acknowledges the most progress made by a jockey or former jockey in developing a future career.

O’Meara, 34, below, who rode more than 120 winners over jumps, and who was associated with the Great Habton stable of Tim and Peter Easterby, has made an excellent transition to training from his Nawton base.

In 18 months, he has had some 80 winners and has also won a Group 2 race with Blue Bajan and major handicaps at Ascot and Ripon with Smarty Socks and Pepper Lane.

“It’s great to have been nominated,” he said. “I got a lot of help and support from JETS after I finished riding and I couldn’t speak highly enough of them.”

Arnolda, 30, rode six winners from more than 200 rides on the Flat before he broke his pelvis in a fall at Yarmouth, which ended his career.

Having also received support and guidance from JETS, he is now in his third year of a Diploma in Professional Cookery at York College and has been combining his training with work experience in a number of restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Reads in Kent and the four-star Royal York Hotel in York, where he is currently Chef de Partie.

“My goal is to become a head chef at either a four or five-star hotel or in a fine dining restaurant,” he says.

The winners of the JETS awards will be announced on Sunday, November 13, at an official Cheltenham Racecourse paddock presentation before racing.