The cream of Britain’s young Flat riders will battle it out over the course of the season to join the likes Ryan Moore, Tom Marquand, Oisin Murphy and Billy Loughnane on the prestigious roll of honour.
There’s some serious talent among the apprentice ranks this year. Here’s a look at some of the main contenders.
Jack Doughty
13 Wins
Despite being just 17-years-old, Jack has already achieved a lot in his short career to date.
Less than 18 months after having his first ride, he has already ridden out his apprentices’ weight claim for reaching 95 winners.
That came after Jack had been crowned All-Weather Champion Apprentice for a prolific winter on the track.
He’s continued that form into the turf season. May was his most productive month yet and, although he now has to take on the established riders without a weight advantage, he is sure to continue to receive plenty of support from his boss Tony Carroll.
Watch out for Jack at Brighton where he has a healthy 20 per cent strike-rate.
Mason Paetel
5 Wins
The pony racing circuit has known all about Mason for some time and he has made a seamless transition into the apprentice jockey ranks.
The 16-year-old impressed throughout the winter after riding his first winner on Crafter for Mark Loughnane at Lingfield in November.
He has since switched to join progressive trainer James Owen and he has also ridden winners for Kevin Ryan and Mick Appleby.
More and more trainers are starting to take notice of the talents of the teenager from south Wales. His 7lbs weight claim is sure to make him popular in some of the top handicaps and he is likely to be among the leading apprentices this summer.
Joe Leavy
8 Wins
Joe is one of the more experienced jockeys chasing the apprentices’ title.
The 19-year-old recently reached 95 winners to ride out his weight claim. Coincidentally, it came on the same day and at the same track as title rival Jack Doughty.
The Brighton double that pushed him into the ranks of the fully-fledged riders underlined his strength in the saddle.
Joe has received plenty of support from his boss Richard Hannon but he has also forged lucrative links with James Evans, Ian Williams, Hugo Palmer, Johnny Portman and Roger Teal.
His extensive contacts will be invaluable in his title challenge now he no longer has the advantage of an apprentices’ claim.
Kaiya Fraser
7 Wins
Kaiya’s route into the sport hasn’t been the most conventional but he has taken to race riding like a natural.
The 22-year-old grew up in Hackney, London, and his only contact with horseracing as a child came when watching it on television with his grandad.
Unsure what to do when he was approaching school-leavers age, Kaiya’s mum found the British Racing School on the internet to set him on the path to success.
He started with Chris Wall and joined Harry Eustace when his first boss retired from training.
His impressive riding has caught the eye of numerous top trainers. He has ridden winners for William Haggas, Roger Varian and James Fanshawe.
Rebecca Menzies, John Butler and Jim Goldie are other regular users of Kaiya’s talents.
He is likely to hit the 95-winner milestone sooner rather than later. That will see his 3lbs weight allowance disappear but he has an excellent chance of bettering last year’s third place in apprentices’ title race.
Lauren Young
4 Wins
Scottish rider Lauren has made a big impact in the first few months of 2025.
Her first winner might have taken eight months and 23 rides to arrive, but she has quickly followed it with a stream of victories.
That initial success came on Annandale in a race that was part of the Racing Excellence ‘Hands and Heels’ Apprentice All-Weather Series at Southwell in February.
Her boss, Jim Goldie, has continued to provide the 23-year-old with lots of opportunities.
Lauren, from Kilmarnock in the west of Scotland, has no family background in racing. She joined Goldie as a 17-year-old and has had to wait for her chance on the track.
Her hot start to the year has included doubles at Hamilton and Ayr. If she continues her impressive strike-rate she will be a live contender for the apprentices’ crown.
Warren Fentiman
2 Wins
Following in his dad’s footsteps has seen Warren become one of the hottest apprentices in the country.
The 17-year-old – attached to Richard Fahey’s powerful stable – impressed on the all-weather during winter months and he has carried it on into the turf season.
It’s no surprise he has been an instant hit in the saddle. His dad, Duran, has been a successful jockey in the north of England for 20 years, riding more than 400 winners.
Father and son rode in a race together for the first time at Chester’s May Festival with Warren finishing second on Rosenpur, just edging out Duran on fourth-placed Copper Knight.
It was another example of the teenager being in demand in handicaps at top meetings and that is likely to continue throughout the summer.
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