Billy Loughnane crowned champion jockey at 20

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:44 · Archive

Billy Loughnane has become flat racing's youngest champion jockey in more than a century at the age of 20.

Billy Loughnane will be crowned flat racing's youngest champion jockey in more than a century at Ascot on Saturday, at just 20 years old. He has beaten defending champion Oisin Murphy to the title. After a slow start in May, Loughnane swept past Murphy in mid-July and has been extending his lead ever since, with what initially promised to be a close race proving to be anything but.

Loughnane has had an extraordinary career trajectory. The Daily Mail reports his career winners' tally currently stands at more than 700, with him equalling his personal best of 223 winners on Tuesday at Wolverhampton. This puts him on course to approach the record of 269 winners in a calendar year held by Sir Gordon Richards. He has also achieved three Group 1 wins to date.

Loughnane's achievement comes much younger than previous champion jockeys. Pat Eddery was 22 when he won his first title, Frankie Dettori was 23, and Lester Piggott was twice Loughnane's current age. Loughnane has described his early ambitions more modestly, saying his aim was simply 'to just have a few winners', and has said that being told he would become champion jockey within four years 'would have said they were absolutely crazy'.

How it is being reported

• Billy Loughnane on realising his dream at just 20 as he gets set to be crowned youngest Champion Jockey in more than a century - and your best bets for big Flat finale AscotWith typical humility and understatement, Billy Loughnane adeptly recalls the formative stages of his career: 'My aim was to just have a few winners.'Daily Mail Sport · 16 Oct, 15:25
• ‘I’m bored when I’m not riding’: Billy Loughnane on drive that made him champion jockey at 20Flat racing’s youngest champion jockey in more than a century on his relentless – and rapid – road to the top Billy Loughnane’s mum wanted him to be a vet. “You’d have to ask her why,” he says with a smile that is rarely more than a second or two away. “I’d say money and an easier lifestyle, but I always wanted to be a jockey and made it very clear that was what I wanted to be doing. My parents and family have all been very supportive since.” It seems fair to say that Loughnane’s career choice was the right one. At Ascot on Saturday, the 20-year-old will be officially installed as Flat…The Guardian · 16 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Billy Loughnane · Oisin Murphy · Pat Eddery · Frankie Dettori · Lester Piggott · Sir Gordon Richards · Ascot · Wolverhampton

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