The David Power Jockeys’ Cup, an exciting new initiative for the National Hunt season, was announced on Thursday evening.

Backed by the Flutter Group (Paddy Power, Sky Betting & Gaming and Betfair), the David Power Jockeys' Cup is a brand-new jockeys' championship with a record-breaking £1.5 million prize fund. Jockeys will compete in a league-format for all races broadcast on ITV Racing between Friday 15 November and Friday 5 April, earning points for the first four placings. The leading jockey will win £500,000, second-placed £200,000 and third £100,000 – with various additional prizes for trainers, racing staff and conditional jockeys.

Named in memory of legendary bookmaker David Power, co-founder of Paddy Power, the DPJC is supported by numerous racing bodies including the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), ITV Racing, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Great British Racing (GBR), the Jockey Club, and Racecourse Media Group (RMG).

"The David Power Jockeys' Cup is a game-changer for Jumps racing, bringing fans closer to the action and celebrating the incredible skill of our jockeys," said Ian Brown, CEO of Flutter Group.

"With the largest prize pot for any jockeys' competition in the world, we're proud to honour David Power's legacy and bring a fresh level of excitement and accessibility to the sport. This Cup is all about inspiring a new generation of racing fans and creating unforgettable moments for everyone involved."

The initiative is expected to bring new followers to the sport, providing an easy narrative for casual fans to follow over the course of the season and it has been applauded by jockeys and media alike.

"This season is set to be very exciting, and I can't wait to be part of the inaugural David Power Jockeys' Cup," said Champion Jump Jockey, Harry Cobden.

"It's a huge amount on offer and I'm sure will create some great competition as we'll all be trying to win as many of those ITV races as we can."

Grand National winning jockey Rachael Blackmore added: "The David Power Jockeys' Cup adds a massive layer of excitement to what already promises to be another highly competitive season.

"It's great to see this level of innovation and investment in racing, particularly towards jockeys. The prizes on offer are incredible. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best of the sport."