Emerging Talent
Alan Lee TrophyFirst introduced in 2019, the Emerging Talent award was created to highlight the depth of young talent throughout the racing media. From writers, broadcasters, photographers and more the award is open for those members of the media under the age of 30.
The category made Derby Awards history in 2023 when it was won by joint-winners, with broadcaster Megan Dent and commentator Alex Fussey sharing the award.
This prize remains the only one where former winners are no longer permitted to enter again.
Alan Lee
Alan wrote for the Times, first as cricket correspondent for 11 years, then as racing correspondent for 14. He won the SJA Sports Writer of the Year Award in 2001 and was a three-time winner of the Clive Graham Trophy for Racing Writer of the Year.
2025 Enries
Entries for the 2025 Derby Awards are OPEN and close on 18th October.
The Emerging Talent Award is intended to showcase individuals that have recently begun their media careers in horse racing and entries are accepted at the discretion of the Judges.
Entrants are required to submit THREE pieces of work. These can cover a range of media, including traditional written and photography, blogs, social media and broadcasting.
Audio/video clips should be no more than five minutes in length to be considered.
Previous winners of any Derby Award are not qualified to enter the Emerging Talent Award. In addition, entrants can be shortlisted for this Award no more than twice.
Entries must be emailed to hwpacontacts@gmail.com
Previous winners
| Year | Winner |
| 2024 | Conor Fennelly (Racing Post) and Joshua Stacey (Racing TV) joint-winners |
| 2023 | Alex Fussey (freelance) and Megan Nicholls (freelance) joint-winners |
| 2022 | Megan Dent (freelance) |
| 2021 | Jess Stafford (Racing TV) |
| 2020 |
Nick Seddon (Horseracing.net)
|
| 2019 |
Jonathan Harding (Racing Post)
|