Some of the sport’s greatest riders have their names etched onto the roll of honour. Ryan Moore, Tom Marquand, Oisin Murphy and Billy Loughnane have all lifted the prestigious title on their way to cementing their positions as some of Flat racing’s very best jockeys.
Here’s a look at the leading contenders for this year’s race to be Champion Apprentice.
Jack Callan
8 Wins
Jack will be looking to emulate his dad, Neil, who was Champion Apprentice in 1999.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season last year and he even took his first ride at Royal Ascot just hours after sitting an A-Level exam.
Jack has the backing of his boss – Classic-winning trainer George Boughey – so he is sure to be given plenty of firepower for his title charge. Charlie Johnston and Kevin Ryan are other supporters.
Jack Nicholls
6 Wins
Life as a Flat jockey could not got off to a better start for Jack.
He rode his first winner on his very first ride as a 16-year-old amateur when partnering Hurt You Never at Redcar for his trainer-dad Adrian.
Now firmly established in the apprentice ranks, he has made a superb start to the new season.
Attached to Karle Burke’s powerful Yorkshire stable, he has already ridden winners for the likes of Hugo Palmer, Clive Cox, Kevin Ryan and Harry Eustace.
His dad will also supply plenty of opportunities and that kind of backing makes the 19-year-old a big player in the race to be Champion Apprentice.
Ashley Lewis
4 Wins
It was a whirlwind first season for Ashley last year.
Less than five months after having his first ride, he was cheered into the famous Epsom winners’ enclosure on one of the biggest days in the Flat racing calendar.
It was a ride of great maturity on Small Fry around the twists and turns of the iconic Surrey track to land a handicap on Derby Day.
He had taken his first steps towards becoming a jockey when riding out for Small Fry’s trainers Gary and Josh Moore as a schoolboy, after being inspired by his fellow jockey brother Owen.
Now attached to Ed Walker’s Lambourn stable, he has also received support from James Owen, Stan Moore and Marcus Tregoning.
Jack Dace
3 Wins
It’s not often Ralph Beckett employs an apprentice jockey.
The Classic-winning trainer was so impressed with Jack he snapped him up to be his first retained young rider in nearly a decade.
He had plenty of experience in pony races and made the switch to Flat racing under the guidance of his trainer-dad, Luke, a couple of years ago.
Stuart Williams, Amanda Perrett and Jim Boyle have been regular users of the 18-year-old’s services and he has made a bright start to the season.
Lauren Young
3 Wins
There’s been three female Champion Apprentices and Lauren will be hoping to join Hayley Turner, Amy Ryan and Josephine Gordon on the roll of honour.
The 24-year-old rider, from Kilmarnock in the west of Scotland, has impressed with her strength in the saddle in booting home 24 winners last year.
All of those victories were trained by her boss, Scottish trainer Jim Goldie. He is sure to provide the 5lbs-claimer with plenty of ammunition for a potential title bid.
It could be enough to spark celebrations on the north side of the England/Scotland border.
Mason Paetel
2 Wins
The pony racing circuit has been a rich source of riding talent and Mason made the jump from junior racing to professional apprentice jockey last season.
He rattled up 31 winners last year and he’s already made a good start to this season.
Based in Newmarket with increasingly-powerful trainer James Owen, the 17-year-old is sure to be popular with other trainers.
The 5lbs-claimer has already built up relationships with Mick Appleby and Ed Dunlop. Such backing makes the 17-year-old a contender for the apprentices’ title.
Harry Vigors
1 Wins
Harry is one of the youngest riders in the apprentice title race.
The 16-year-old burst on to the scene with a winner on just his second ride when he guided Me Tarzan to a narrow success at Lingfield last December.
That first victory came for his boss Archie Watwon, who he started riding out for as a schoolboy.
Harry is from a family steeped in racing. He grew up at Hillwood Stud where is dad Charlie is manager.
He was even pictured sat on Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth in full racing colours when just five-years-old.
Now, having enjoyed success pony racing and eventing, he is impressing as an apprentice.
With the backing of his boss as well as the likes of Tony Carroll, Stuart Williams and Eve Johnson Houghton, he could be involved in the title race.
Toby Moore
1 Wins
As racing pedigrees come, Toby’s is up there with the very best.
His dad, Ryan, needs little introduction and his uncles, Josh and Jamie, were both successful jump jockeys.
Toby is attached to trainer Charlie Appleby and he has already tasted success in the famous Godolphin blue colours.
He came agonisingly close to claiming a big-race victory when runner-up in the Chester Cup on Maxi King for owners Amo Racing and trainer Kevin Philipart de Foy.
Still able to claim a 7lbs-weight allowance, he is sure to be in demand this summer.
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