A Scottish journalism student has won the Martin Wills Award for equine journalism.

Alistair Millar, 24, is currently studying for a postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism at Strathclyde University and was crowned the under-26 winner.

He receives £1,250 for his article “Don’t Look a Gift Horse” about a smug, disillusioned teenager who decides to take his employer for a ride.

The awards, now in the 17th year, are run by the Martin Wills Memorial Trust in memory of the former jockey and journalist who died in 1992 aged 39.

There are three categories – under-26, under-19 and under-15 – for factual or fictional writing on any aspect of horseracing.

This year’s awards attracted a record total of 169 across the three categories.

A selection of the winning articles will be published in the Racing Post and The Irish Field with some winners gaining work experience at the Racing Post.

The judging panel included Racing Post founder Brough Scott, Daily Telegraph racing writer Marcus Armytage and Grand National winning jockey Tim Cox.

Brough Scott said: “The judging process this year was one of the most enjoyable we have had because of the real energy and talent that was coming off the page. That is exactly what these awards had hoped to encourage.”