The Australian Racing Board Chairman's Fellowship Award has been given to two winners for 2001, the first time since the inception of the prestigious prize that the board has been unable to separate contenders for the award.

The winners are Heidi Keighran, 20, a cadet steward with Racing Victoria, and Matthew Hill, 20, a race caller and host with Sky Channel television and the Racing Radio 2KY in Sydney

The fellowships, established to foster youth in the Thoroughbred racing industry, are awarded based on merit to provide career development opportunities.

Keighran plans to use her grant to visit Hong Kong, England, Ireland, and the United States, attending race meetings and observing the work of stewards. Keighran comes from a family with over 150 years involvement in racing.

"In America, I hope to visit the Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and all the other racecourses I can," Keighran said.

Hill is originally from Victoria but moved to Sydney after he won the Sky Channel John Tapp Scholarship in 2000, a cadetship in race calling, hosting, and production. He plans to use his grant to study in England.—Delamere Usher