Category Archives: Jockeys

Introduction

 

While Brazilian jockeys are fairly rare, the name of Silvestre de Sousa is one that has become commonplace among racing fans for some time. born in Sao Francisco do Maranhao, the flat-racing jockey is a British-based mastermind who has gathered a significant number of fans over the years. The youngest of ten in his household, Silvestre never sat atop a race horse until he was the tender age of 18!

 

Some jockeys might scowl at someone making such a late start to a specialist career, but it’s exactly what de Sousa carried out. A whole six months passed before he could get a career race, and but within just sixteen months of that debacle he was a champion apprentice and had lost his claim.

 

Training under th excellent Dermot Weld, he struggled to cope with the change in atmosphere and moved to England to train under David Nicholls. Shortly after, he had taken part in 195 runs and had scored 27 winners – a decent enough start!

 

Career Summary

 

By 2010, he had achieved a century of winners which brought Mark Johnstone, an important trainer, to him. Given his penchant for winning on small odds horses, Johnstone gave him his chance. With big wins at the Epsom Derby and at Royal Ascot, he started to really get noticed by others – to ride a winner in the Royal Ascot with such a middling background was truly immense.

 

Achievements & Highlights – International Stakes (2015), Champion Stakes (2013), Lonckinge stakes (2013), Dubai Turf (2013), Dubai World Cup (2014), Premio Roma (2012).

 

Major Wins – 59^th on the list of all-time National Earnings for Jockeys in 2013.

 

Associations – ?

 

Earnings –

 

 

Introduction

 

While still active today, the impressive success of Ryan Lee Moore should be no surprise to those who know of his familial history. The son of racing trainer Gary Moore, Ryan and brother Jamie established themselves as jockeys of some repute at an early age. Indeed, at the moment Moore has established himself as one of the finest in the business, working as the primary jockey of the Aidan O’Brien Ballydoyle group. As part of this team, he’s took part in some serious racing wins, and even takes part in some racing events on behalf of The Queen!

 

Career Summary

 

Winning his first Champion Jockey in 2006, Moore went on to achieve two more in 08 and 09, before winning his first major at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2009. Afterward, he went on to claim major trophies such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Epsom Oaks and Derby. Afterward, he went on to claim other major trophies on the road, such as the 1,000 Guineas (3 times), the 2,000 Guineas once, the Epsom Derby and Stakes again once each, the Triomphe in 2016, and the Canadian International Stakes to go with a Melbourne Cup.

 

With plenty more to come from the talented rider, the Brighton-born star has plenty of success still on the horizon. With various horses already ridden to victory, there’s very little holding back Moore from becoming a true modern great.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – 2,000 Guineas (2015), 1,000 Guineas (2012,2015, 2016), Epsom Derby (2010, 2013), Epsom Oaks (2010, 2016), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2009), Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2010, 2016), Canadian International Stakes (2013), Melbourne Cup (2014).

 

Associations – Workforce, Snow Fairy, Conduit, Ruler of the World, Gleneagles, Minding, Maurice.

 

Earnings – ?

 

 

Introduction

 

As one of the most revered names in racing history, Sir Anthony Peter McCoy – AP, or Tony, to most – is a true legend of the sport. With over 4,300 winners – a record – and Champion Jockey twenty times in a row, McCoy is one of the most legendary competitors to ever hop onto the saddle. Having rode his first winner at 17, he went from there to win his first Champion Jockey in the 95/96 season, culminating in continuous success and defence until his final year where he won it, in 2015.

 

Career Summary

 

With too many to list, the main thing to say about McCoy is that he’s just won about every big race that there is to win. From the Cheltenham Gold Cup to the Queen Mother Champion Chase, McCoy has been a serial trophy winner in one of the most stellar and important careers in the history of the sport.

 

He’s even won the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, lifting it in 2010 and in the process becoming the first jockey to lift the award. In January 2016, McCoy was finally knighted to culminate a career that is all about success and impressive wins.

 

There’s literally too many outstanding races to pick from in one of the most collective showings of the hard work and the rewards that can come from being a jockey.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

 

Wins – Grand National, Scottish Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle, King George VI Chase, Ryanair Chase, RSA Chase, Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Tingle Creek, Arkle Challenge Trophy, Welsh Grand National, Midlands Grand National, Irish Grand National, Lexus Chase, Galway Plate. Champion Jockey 95/96 – 14/15.

 

Associations – Mountain Tunes, Kanpai, Magical Bailiwick, Celtic Native, Majadou.

 

Earnings – £15m+

 

 

 

Introduction

 

One of the best things about racing and the circuit in general is the sheer volume and completion that exists across the board. Many star names exist across the sport, but there’s always turnover and change regarding who the best is. With Jim Crowley, you can fully understand why the hype exists: he looks to be one of the next in line of a growing volume of world-class starlets coming through the circuit.

 

Career Summary

 

So far in his career, Crowley has established himself as one of the leading flat jockeys in the British racing scene. The current Champion Jockey, having won the FJCs in 2016, Crowley has become a name well worth remembering for fans of the sport. With a growing list of achievements across a career so far, his Ascot upbringing helped to set the tone for a born jockey.

 

Starting out as an amateur, he switched to National Hunt racing and rode with Sue Smith’ stable. With around 300 winners there before returning back to the flat racing circuit, he rode for his sister-in-law, Amanda Perrett, over at Pulborough. 2010 seen him move over to Ralph Beckett, and since then it’s been success after success.

 

In 2016, he won the title as mentioned above, defeating 2015 Champion Silvestre de Sousa, and breaking the record for monthly victories with a barely believable run of 46 victories across the month of September to help seal his burgeoning reputation.

 

The new number one jockey for Hamdan al-Maktoum, the career path of Jim Crowley looks like it’s only going to continue to shine and grow as time goes on!

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – Prix Jean Prat (2009), King’s Stand Stakes (2011), Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes (2014).

 

Associations – Sue Smith, Amanda Perrett, Ralph Beckett.

 

Earnings – ?