The cream of this year’s riding talent are aiming to write their name onto an illustrious apprentice championship roll of honour. Reigning champion Billy Loughnane was the latest rider to land the title, following top jockeys like Tom Marquand, Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore.
Here’s a look at the main contenders in this year’s title race.
Sean Dylan Bowen
Racing fans could have been forgiven for doing a double take when the latest hot riding prospect to arrive from Ireland started making a name for himself.
The 18-year-old from County Tipperary shares that name with one of the top jump jockeys but he has quickly established himself as an apprentice Flat jockey with a bright future.
He announced his arrival when landing a Doncaster apprentice race on only his second ride since relocating to Britain and he has carried that on into the main Flat season.
His boss James Owen has provided plenty of firepower and he has also caught the eye of several of the top trainers in the land.
William Haggas, Mick Appleby and Michael Bell have all been quick to use the impressive young rider.
With more likely to follow as Sean’s star continues to rise, the 3lbs-claimer is a leading contender for the apprentice’s title.
Mark Winn
One of the most experienced apprentices on the circuit, Mark notched up his first winner of the campaign on the opening day of the season when Star Of Lady M struck at Thirsk.
The 21-year-old followed it with a winner on successive days at Nottingham’s two-day meeting the following week.
His eight victories in May was followed by eight more in June as he kept up the pace in the title race.
Only six of those 16 winners came on horses trained by his boss David O’Meara. He’s also struck up a good relationship with Yorkshire trainer Paul Midgley and he heads into the second half of the season in a strong position.
His success could throw a spanner in the works. He is fast approaching the loss of his 3lbs weight claim and that could dent his hopes with regards to the apprentice championship in the closing weeks of the season.
Jack Doughty
There’s no doubt Jack loves a trip to Brighton.
The seaside track has provided five winners to his title challenge. It’s no surprise that they have all been trained by his boss Tony Carroll, who is a regular visitor to the Brighton winners’ enclosure.
A graduate of the pony racing scene, Jack has impressed with his style and strength since partnering his first winner on Fieldsman at Southwell three days before Christmas last year.
Still only 16-years-old, his talents have been spotted by some of the country’s top trainers.
He has picked up rides for Sir Mark Prescott and Saeed bin Suroor despite his relative inexperience.
His strike-rate – better than all his title rivals – makes the 5lbs-claimer a live contender for the apprentice championship title.
Brandon Wilkie
After a frustrating start to the season, Brandon has ridden himself into the picture for the Champion Apprentice crown.
He partnered no less than eight runners-up before registering his first winner of the new season on the second day of June on Fiver Friday at Hamilton.
Just like London buses, he only had to wait half an hour for the second on Mr Irrelevant.
Attached to Karl Burke’s powerful Yorkshire stables, he has also built a successful relationship with William Knight.
The 20-year-old teamed up with the Newmarket-based trainer to record another double at Wolverhampton at the final day of June.
The 5lbs-claimer has the momentum to put himself into the title race.
William Pyle
Yorkshire-based Craig Lidster is a trainer on the up and he’s taking William with him.
He has given the 22-year-old’s apprentice title chances a boost with a string of winners, but he’s not alone.
Richard Fahey, Jedd O’Keeffe and Phil Kirby have also chipped in to keep the 5lbs-claimer in touch with his title rivals.
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