A horse race has been run in memory of a journalist who wrote for a regional daily.

Tom O’Ryan, left, who held long-term reporting roles with York daily The Press and the Racing Post, passed away after a battle with lung cancer last summer aged 61.

The Tom O’Ryan Memorial Apprentice Handicap was run at York on Sunday, as part of a family race day run by The Press.

The seven-furlong race was won by Dark Intention, ridden by Callum Rodriguez. The race was restricted to apprentice riders.

Former jockey Tom, who also wrote for the Northern Echo was named Racing Journalist of the Year in 2002 and presented on television channel Racing UK.

Tom was described as a “much loved and sadly missed colleague” by Racing UK tipster Chris Dixon ahead of the race.

He added: “Fittingly for a man who helped nurture so many riding talents in the early days of their career, the race is confined to apprentice riders.”