Racing Reporter of the Year
John Oaksey TrophyThe John Oaksey Trophy was introduced to the Derby Awards in 2012 as a second prize available to journalists. It looks back on those who have uncovered and produced the hard-hitting exclusives across the year and written the stories which prompt important conversations around the sport.
John Oaksey
A celebrated amateur rider, who rode the runner-up Carrickbeg in the 1963 Grand National, John was a long-serving correspondent for the Daily Telegraph and the Horse & Hound, as well as a noted broadcaster for ITV and then Channel 4. He was also involved in the setting up of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
2025 Entries
Entries are currently not open for the 2025 Derby Awards. Entries for this category should be a strong news story, especially a scoop or an exclusive, broken by the reporter, on any aspect of horse racing. Entries may be written, audio or video pieces. Entrants are required to submit ONE piece of work.
Previous winners
| Year | Winner |
| 2024 | Patrick Mullins (Racing Post) |
| 2023 | Nick Luck (Nick Luck Podcast) |
| 2022 | Nick Luck (Nick Luck Podcast) |
| 2021 | Chris Cook (Racing Post) |
| 2020 | Chris Cook (The Guardian) |
| 2019 | Marcus Townend (Daily Mail) |
| 2018 | Bill Barber (Racing Post) |
| 2017 | Marcus Armytage (Daily Telegraph) |
| 2016 | Marcus Townend (Daily Mail) |
| 2015 | Graham Dench (Racing Post) |
| 2014 | Chris Cook (The Guardian) |
| 2013 | Jon Lees (Racing Post) |
| 2012 | Chris Cook (The Guardian) |