And horseman Mark, who was born in Flagg, did it on a previously unraced horse he bought just six months ago for £350.

"I'm absolutely overwhelmed," said Mark, now of Buxton, after riding Twist and Shout to victory and lifting the High Peak Hunt Trophy, in addition to the Centenary Plate for the best placed non-thoroughbred horse and the Bob Graham Heavyweight Cup for the first heavyweight across the finish line.

"It has been a lot of hard work — never knowing whether he would actually stay the distance and carry my weight as well. But he has proved himself."

Finishing behind Mark and Twist and Shout was Lily, ridden by Bradwell's Sarah Wain and owned by Dee McKenna, whose other horse Coco, ridden by Tideswell's Francesca Foy, came home in third.

Sarah collected the Jim Wood Memorial Trophy, for the best placed horse ridden by a woman, and also the Hopkins Young Rider Trophy for the youngest High Peak Hunt member to complete the course.

The Croxden Cup, for the oldest High Peak Hunt member to complete the course, went to former Flagg Races secretary Rachel McQueen, riding her own horse Mick Blake.

Thousands of racegoers again travelled to Flagg Moor for the annual point-to-point meeting.

This year's event attracted a number of top jockeys, including Tom Greenall and Richard Burton, who won foxhunters at Aintree and Cheltenham respectively.

Mark Burnett, Flagg Races committee member, said: "It has been a very busy day. We have been very lucky with the weather and have almost had a record crowd. There was certainly lots of people coming through the gates and some great racing. Point-to-point is a very exciting sport."

He added: "The tradition of Flagg Races is massively important. There is a lot of change in the world at the moment and it is one of these things that is nice and solidly here every year."

In total, racegoers were treated to seven races, including the customary parade of High Peak hounds.