Latest news with #BillyLoughnane
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dettori says Irish rider 'most talented' young jockey: 'A natural talent'
Frankie Dettori has named Billy Loughnane as "the most talented" of the young jockeys coming through at the moment. The Irish youngster, 19, who is based in Britain, has been working his way up the ranks over the past few years, having transitioned to professional flat racing at 16 following a number of years pony racing. He was crowned British flat racing Champion Apprentice in 2023, having ridden over 100 winners in his first year. He also secured the British All-Weather Champion Apprentice titles in both the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy described him as 'the most talented rider I have ever seen at his age', and Dettori has also praised the youngster. The Stake ambassador said: "Obviously Oisin Murphy, William Buick and James Doyle are already established, as is Ryan Moore. I would say the youngest one is Billy Loughnane. He's a charming guy. He listens. He's willing to learn. Horses run for him. "For a young jockey with that little experience, he seems very mature already. He's quite tall, so he's going to work at his weight more than anybody else, but I think he's a natural talent. To me, out of the young guys, he's the most talented and has a bright future." He added: "When I started, obviously it was Pat Eddery, Steve Cauthen and Willie Carson as the dominant people when I grew up. Pat came along and then I came along and now there's Oisin Murphy and William Buick. "There's always going to be someone that people can relate to. I did my section of fame and now I can let somebody else take over. Like I said, it'll always be someone because racing is popular and will always be popular."
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rising star rider Billy looks to shine under blue skies at Redcar Races
TEENAGE rider Billy Loughnane is looking to bounce back from a blow to his chances of a first jockeys' championship when he heads to Redcar on Monday. The 19-year-old rising star of the weighing room was 'gutted' to be given an 11-day ban for improper riding at Newcastle earlier this month, meaning he will miss both days of the Epsom Derby meeting. Loughnane, who was crowned champion all-weather jockey in April despite riding much of the winter in Australia, looks to be the man to follow with an attractive book of rides on Redcar's eight-race card. With plenty of seaside sunshine forecast for Monday, Loughnane has plenty to look forward to, including Mister Blue Sky for Osmotherley trainer Gemma Tutty in the Handicap. The gelding kept on well to get off the mark over six furlongs at Hamilton on May 4 and will be a popular choice to defy a penalty over an extra furlong. The danger could be Tim Easterby's Perfidia who was a staying on second to easy winner City of Strangers at Redcar on April 21 and could also be suited by an extra furlong. Loughnane also looks to have a couple of plum rides for powerful Newmarket trainer George Boughey, with Calafiori and recent Redcar winner Cadarn. Calafiori lines up for the EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Division 2) having improved markedly from his debut to be second of 13 over the minimum trip at Leicester. He ran on well inside the final furlong that day and now tackles six furlongs. Cadarn, a cosy winner at Redcar on April 21, lines up in the Marske Fabrication & Engineering Straight Mile Handicap and could be capable of following up despite a 3lbs penalty. Loughnane will also fancy his chances when he teams up with trainer David Evans on Early Release in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap. The gelding was beaten only a neck at Windsor last time and can make the long trip from Monmouthshire pay off. Sugar Baby, another recent Redcar winner, is back for more in the Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap (Division 2), with Peter Niven's gelding looking to defy a 3lbs penalty. In-form Callum Rodriguez is back in the plate. However, Michael Dods is double-handed in the race with Deputy (Oliver Stammers) and Cuban Storm (Lewis Edmunds) – both previous winners at Redcar. Deputy won at Redcar on his last outing of 2024 and is appearing for the first time this season. Cuban Storm is back to the same mark he had when winning at this meeting last year when ground conditions were similar. Dods has another course and distance winner in the form of Taygar in the Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap (Division 1). The Churchill filly won over six furlongs in the mud under an inspired Lewis Edmunds ride at Redcar in November and had a pipe-opener over a furlong less at Doncaster on her first run of 2025. She's back to six furlongs with Edmunds again in the saddle and, although ground conditions will be very different this time, she has some decent form on faster going. The much-travelled Luke Morris makes the trip to Redcar for two rides – Analogical and debutante Project Incheon. Analogical, trained at Newmarket by veteran trainer Sir Mark Prescott, stayed on well to break his duck at Beverley last time, and can follow up under a six-pound penalty in the Celebrate The Life of Joe Newton Handicap. Project Incheon, a son of Zoustar, goes to post for the first time in the opening EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Division 1) but the market will be the best guide to a race largely made up of first-timers.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I'm absolutely gutted to be banned for the Derby meeting at Epsom – but I have only myself to blame
MY week didn't get off to an ideal start after I picked up an 11-day ban at Newcastle on Sunday. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting out when you're suspended and watching horses you would have ridden go on and win. Advertisement 1 Billy Loughnane is banned for the Derby festival at Epsom Credit: Getty I will miss the Derby meeting and I'm gutted about that. But I've no-one else to blame but myself. It was careless and the stewards were right. I made a mistake and I'll learn from it. The jockey's championship is at the back of my mind and missing any action is a blow, but there is plenty of time to make up any lost ground. Advertisement I felt sorry for Kieran Shoemark on Sunday, too, when he had the French 1,000 Guineas on Shes Perfect taken away by the stewards. It's been a tough couple of weeks for Kieran but he is a very good jockey and I've no doubt he will have a big season. They're appealing the result so we'll see how it plays out. It would be incredible for Kieran and Charlie Fellowes if they got the race back, they both deserve it. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing I'm going to have a very busy day at Newmarket and it will be built around CLASSIC ENCOUNTER (2.15) for George Boughey. He won nicely first time up at Redcar and then ran really well when he was second in a competitive handicap at the Guineas meeting. We split into two groups that day and he ran a very good race in the circumstances. He's a likeable horse and he seems in great form at the moment. He'll run well. Advertisement It'll be exciting to ride Charlie Appleby's DANCE TO THE MUSIC (2.50) on her debut. As you'd expect she is beautifully-bred, being a sister to Charlie's Group 1 star Space Blues and the yard have an amazing record with debutants at Newmarket. I've not sat on her but I'm looking forward to it. I'm very proud and grateful to pick up rides in the blue silks of Godolphin when William Buick is riding elsewhere. Advertisement He's at Newbury to ride Notable Speech, among others, in the Lockinge. It's a brilliant race and an incredibly tough one to call, but I'll be keeping an eye on it from the Newmarket weighing room. My day kicks off on STERLING KNIGHT (1.05) and he has a good each-way shout. He is a rock-solid horse and has been running well all year. Advertisement He was a couple of places behind Classic Encounter last time, so if he runs well it will be a nice form boost for me ahead of that ride. I rode SAXONIA (1.40) at Kempton last time and get the leg up again. He was fourth over a mile and I think the drop back to seven furlongs is going to suit him. POLE STAR (3.25) looks to have an excellent chance having run such a promising race on his debut at Chester last week. Advertisement He saw his race out strongly and will no doubt have learned plenty on his debut. It's a pretty hot race today but he is open to loads of improvement. WHITE CHAPEL ROAD (4.00) has some solid handicap form to his name and he will have come on for his comeback run. Paul and Ollie Cole are in great form, I rode a winner for them at Salisbury on Thursday, and he should be bang there. Last but not least I ride EMINENCY (4.35) for Stuart Williams. He takes a drop in class today and has slipped to a nice mark. Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I've been booked to bring home this big-money treble for a trainer who knows how to land a punt
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE is plenty of glitz and glamour in this sport. But today I head off across the A1 on a four hour round-trip to Leicester for Ladies Day! I promise there are no two days alike. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Billy Loughnane is looking to make quick gains up the jockey championship with a book of rides away from the big meetings Credit: Getty You always want to get booked at the main cards on a Saturday — like Lingfield or Ascot today — but if your boss wants you to ride one elsewhere you base your day around that. George was very keen to run CALAFIORI (5.25 Leicester) again and that is more or less the sole reason for my trip. It was all way too much for him on debut but if he shows us what he has been doing at home then he should be up to this. If anything this is a weaker race than we found him on debut and he's definitely forward enough to win a race like this. You don't want to be away from the main meetings every weekend but it can work in your favour as well, especially when going for the title. A lot of jockeys will be at Ascot and Lingfield with a few rides but, by going to places like Leicester, I can get a near full book of rides and hopefully come away with a couple of winners. With the championship done the way it is — on the number of winners and not prize money — you have to play the long game so the odd trip to the smaller tracks is no bad thing. I'd been on a bad run recently so it was great to ride a double at Wolverhampton on Tuesday. It was a bit of a relief but I'm not a jockey who goes overboard over these spells. You have these periods — but you also have stretches where every horse you sit on suddenly wins so it is swings and roundabouts. I'm not throwing my gear around in the changing room or anything like that! Back to today and INDIAN SPIRIT (7.30) is another who should go close. I ride out for Charlie Hills every now and then so it's good to get on one of his. He has solid form and this is a weak enough maiden. Dark Tornado is the one to beat but I give my horse a shout. He's fit and ready to go. Ian Williams has booked me for three. He was a big reason I was champion all weather jockey this winter. Hopefully we can keep up the relationship through the summer. It's not high level stuff but BEAUZON (6.00), HALIPHON (6.30) and MR TRICK (8.30) are all handicapped to win. Mr Trick has his own way of doing things but if his mind is on it he can go close. With these lower level horses, a lot of it is what's between the ears and whether they fancy it on the day! Fingers crossed they do! FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I've been booked to bring home this big-money treble for a trainer who knows how to land a punt
THERE is plenty of glitz and glamour in this sport. But today I head off across the A1 on a four hour round-trip to Leicester for Ladies Day! I promise there are no two days alike. Advertisement 1 Billy Loughnane is looking to make quick gains up the jockey championship with a book of rides away from the big meetings Credit: Getty You always want to get booked at the main cards on a Saturday — like Lingfield or Ascot today — but if your boss wants you to ride one elsewhere you base your day around that. George was very keen to run CALAFIORI (5.25 Leicester) again and that is more or less the sole reason for my trip. It was all way too much for him on debut but if he shows us what he has been doing at home then he should be up to this. If anything this is a weaker race than we found him on debut and he's definitely forward enough to win a race like this. Advertisement You don't want to be away from the main meetings every weekend but it can work in your favour as well, especially when going for the title. A lot of jockeys will be at Ascot and Lingfield with a few rides but, by going to places like Leicester, I can get a near full book of rides and hopefully come away with a couple of winners. With the championship done the way it is — on the number of winners and not prize money — you have to play the long game so the odd trip to the smaller tracks is no bad thing. I'd been on a bad run recently so it was great to ride a double at Wolverhampton on Tuesday. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing It was a bit of a relief but I'm not a jockey who goes overboard over these spells. You have these periods — but you also have stretches where every horse you sit on suddenly wins so it is swings and roundabouts. I'm not throwing my gear around in the changing room or anything like that! Back to today and INDIAN SPIRIT (7.30) is another who should go close. Advertisement I ride out for Charlie Hills every now and then so it's good to get on one of his. He has solid form and this is a weak enough maiden. Dark Tornado is the one to beat but I give my horse a shout. He's fit and ready to go. Ian Williams has booked me for three. He was a big reason I was champion all weather jockey this winter. Advertisement Hopefully we can keep up the relationship through the summer. It's not high level stuff but BEAUZON (6.00), HALIPHON (6.30) and MR TRICK (8.30) are all handicapped to win. Mr Trick has his own way of doing things but if his mind is on it he can go close. With these lower level horses, a lot of it is what's between the ears and whether they fancy it on the day! Fingers crossed they do! Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
