James Halliday, who is attached to Malcolm Jeffer-son’s yard on Beverley Road in Norton, picked up the Tom Halliday Memorial Scholar-ship last month.

Now in its fourth year, the scholarship was introduced in honour of his brother Tom, who died – aged 20 – from injuries sustained in a fall during a race at the Lincolnshire racecourse in 2005.

For the next 12 months, James, who is a conditional jockey, will be supported by Market Rasen Racecourse and can receive expert help in a number of areas, including nutrition, schooling and media training.

He was chosen after the racecourse invited racing fans and professionals to put forward nominations in July and follows in the footsteps of inaugural scholar, Phil Kinsella, who is also attached to Mr Jefferson’s stables.

“I am hugely touched by the decision of Market Rasen Racecourse to choose me as the latest scholar,” said James, who has ridden two winners in 40 races. “It means a huge amount to my family and me.

“This is a great opportu-nity, and one that I will do everything in my power to benefit from. I just want to learn and I am very grateful to Mr Jefferson and Phil for their support.”

Pip Kirkby, the racecourse's managing director, said: “The Tom Halliday Scholarship is very important to us, and I am delighted it will be James's for the next year.

“It is clearly most poignant to give the award to James, but Malcolm Jefferson and Phil Kinsella – as well as his family – who have all been consulted believe that he is now ready to take full advantage of the scholarship and the opportunities it presents.”

And Phil also vowed to do everything he can to help and encourage James. He said: “The Tom Halliday Scholar-ship offered me great benefits and certainly helped to progress from being an amateur and conditional rider to being a full professional jockey. I am sure it will be of the same assistance to James who is at the right stage to gain from it.”