Are you a budding equestrian writer?

Budding writers are once again being asked to produce racing-related prose, in return for big money prizes.

Fact or fiction

The WillsWritingAwards are for fact or fiction short stories, with a horseracing theme. Think more Racing Post, less Jilly Cooper.

The Awards have four categories: under 26, under 18, under 15 and a new category for under 12s. There is also a Twitter competition, which is open to anyone under 26.

There is over £3,000 in prizemoney, which will be presented by Frankie Dettori in April next year. In addition, the winners will see their article published in the Racing Post and The Irish Field.

In memory

If you need some inspiration, articles can start with, ‘My day at the races started….’ or ‘Excitement danced in the sky like….’

The Martin Wills Writing Awards started in 1993 in memory of journalist and amateur jockey Martin Wills, who died aged 39.

For the first time this year they are being run in association with the National Horseracing Museum and The British Horseracing Education & Standards Trust (BHEST).

Recognition

“For almost a quarter of a century the Martin Wills Writing Awards have offered young writers a chance of recognition,” said chairmanBrough Scott, three times Sports Feature Writer of the Year.

“The new partnership with the National Horseracing Museum and BHEST makes the opportunity stronger than it’s ever been.”

Information on the awards can be found at www.willswritingawards.co.uk and also via Facebook and Twitter.