Judging panel
The RoR judging panel for the both The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award 2025 and The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust Community Impact Award 2025 are:
Hollie Marquand, jockey
Hollie Marquand is a trailblazing British flat jockey from a racing family, passionate about horses from a young age. She began her professional career at 16 and in 2019, Hollie made history as the first female jockey in Britain to ride 116 winners in a calendar year. In 2023, she achieved three wins at Royal Ascot and victory at every flat UK racecourse. Recognised for her achievements, Hollie was named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year in 2020 and placed third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. She continues to compete internationally, including in Japan and Hong Kong.
Victoria Murrell, RoR trustee
Victoria’s lifelong passion for horses and racing began in childhood, spending hours at Pony Club and cheering on her parents' racehorses. During university, she worked at Ladbrokes while completing her degree, and after graduating, she joined leading Flat breeder Juddmonte, progressing from Stud Secretary to Group Bloodstock Coordinator. Four years ago, she moved to the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, where she now serves as Equine Health and Welfare Manager, overseeing environmental workstreams. Victoria also produces 14.2hh event ponies, hoping her son will one day take over the reins!
Nigel Payne MBE, Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust
Nigel has been involved in the horseracing industry for well over 40 years. He was the Press Officer for Aintree and has served on many industry boards, He was also part owner of the legendary Earth Summit, the only steeplechaser to have won the Welsh, Scottish Nationals and the Grand National. In 2001 he was appointed to the board of the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust, which has distributed in excess of £15 million for animal welfare causes, including RoR.
Grant Rowley, The Jockey Club
Grant Rowley has worked at The Jockey Club for ten years following a previous communications role at Liverpool FC. Grant is the Strategic Communications Lead in the Corporate Affairs Team and leads on the Social Impact and Community strategy and Welfare Communications for The Jockey Club. Previous to that he was Communications Lead (West) which saw him responsible for the communications of the Cheltenham and Randox Grand National Festivals as well as Carlisle, Haydock Park, Warwick, Wincanton and Exeter.