Race to be Champion Apprentice Heats Up

Features | 6^th September 2024

The race to be Champion Apprentice Jockey promises to be one of the most thrilling battles for the prestigious title Flat racing has seen for years.

The race to be Champion Apprentice Jockey heads for the closing stages with four young riders in with a realistic chance of winning.

A talented quartet are going all out for the right to join the likes of Ryan Moore, Oisin Murphy and Tom Marquand on the roll of honour. Ascot’s glittering Champions Day on Saturday 19 October will be where the trophy is lifted.

Here’s a look at the contenders.

Sean Dylan Bowen – 29 Wins

A strong finish to August put Sean in pole position in the Apprentices’ title race.

The 18-year-old rode five consecutive winners over the space of four days to leap to the top of the table but he is under strong pressure from the challengers.

Four of those victories came for his boss James Owen. The Newmarket trainer is sure to continue to support the young rider from County Tipperary in the closing weeks of the season.

He’s not alone. Sean has ridden winners for 14 trainers this season, including William Haggas, Mick Appleby and James Ferguson. Sean will need all the support he can get if he is to hold off his title rivals and lift the apprentice jockeys’ crown.

Joe Leavy – 27 Wins

Make hay when the sun shines, as the saying goes. Joe took that quite literally.

He burst into the title race when riding no less than 15 winners during sun-soaked August and capped a sensational month with a Lingfield double.

His hot streak has continued into September with winners at Brighton and Goodwood on consecutive days.

Both those winners came for his boss, Richard Hannon, and the might of one of Flat racing’s biggest yards gives 19-year-old Joe a huge chance in the title race.

Hannon helped the likes of Ryan Moore and Tom Marquand become champion jockey and his backing could be key this year.

Joe is also likely to receive support from regular backers Ian Williams, James Evans and Roger Teal.

Jack Doughty – 27 Wins

The youngest of the four riders in the heat of the title race, 17-year-old Jack is clearly intent on making up for lost time.

He marked his return from a 20-day riding ban by steering useful stayer East India Dock to an easy victory in the feature race at Goodwood in early September.

To underline his title credentials he wasted no time in booting home a Wolverhampton double on Thursday night. Jack is sure to continue to get huge support from his boss, Tony Carroll, as well as increasing number of trainers keen to use Jack’s talents.

The 5lbs claimer could easily be the jockey to lift the Champion Apprentice trophy at Ascot on Champions Day.

Mark Winn – 26 Wins

Northern-based Mark gave his title a chances a real boost when riding a stunning treble at Redcar towards the end of August.

It was the 21-year-old’s best day in the saddle this season but it came with a sting in the tail. The three winners saw him reach 95 career victories and meant he lost his 3lbs apprentices’ weight claim.

Riding out his claim might make the closing weeks of the season a little more difficult but he continues to get plenty of support from northern trainers.

His boss, David O’Meara, has continued to give the young rider plenty of opportunities. Jim Goldie and Paul Midgley are others offering support that could see Mark claim the Champion Apprentice title.