An 18-year-old Irish jockey has already ridden 299 winners. He is now chasing more in Sydney
By Craig Kerry
On most occasions, a trainer will have the attraction of claiming some weight off his runner when putting an 18-year-old jockey on for a metropolitan race.
Randwick trainer John O’Shea won’t have that benefit at Rosehill on Saturday when Irish-born sensation Billy Loughnane makes his Australian debut aboard Good Banter and Captain Amelia.
Promising jockey Billy Loughnane.Credit: PA Images via Getty Images
But that’s far from a concern for O’Shea, and the other top Sydney trainers lining up for Loughnane’s services.
Loughnane will be chasing his 300th career winner on Saturday, after an amazing first two years of riding. The champion apprentice in England in 2023 with 130 winners, he’s backed that up with 162. He also competed across Europe, America and Bahrain.
“We’ve been watching him for a while,” O’Shea said of he and co-trainer Tom Charlton.
Billy Loughnane, centre in grey silks, wins on Wide Margin at Lingfield Park in England on November 19.Credit: Getty Images
“We’ve been keen to get him over. I think we started talking to him six months ago, and obviously Tommy Marquand, and of course James Doyle and William Buick have had really successful stints over here [from the UK].
“He’s very good, and he’s a good lad, which is most important, and he seems to have fit in really well.
“I don’t think he’ll need the claim. I think he will ride enough winners anyway.”
Loughnane arrived on Sunday to start a potential two-month stint during the UK off-season, and he has ridden track work or trials each day this week.
The summer heat, and the fact that Australian horses are worked on actual racetracks, have been two adjustments.
‘Everything is different in what they do compared to here ... At home we don’t train on the track.’
Visiting Irish jockey Billy Loughnane
“It’s a little bit different to home, but I’m holding up OK,” Loughnane said of the warm weather, which is forecast to hit 34 degrees at Rosehill on Saturday.
“[Trackwork] is completely different to at home, everything is different in what they do compared to here, so it’s a new challenge, so we’ll see. At home we don’t train on the track.
“Tom Marquand’s been out here, and I did America a couple of years ago when starting off, so I’m just looking to get more experience across the world.
“I’m coming over here with no expectations. Just looking to ride as many winners as I can.”
Marquand has been advising Loughnane on what to expect in Sydney.
“I’ve been watching a lot of the racing here before I’ve come over, and I’ve spoken to a few of the Australian jockeys about it, but I’m sure I’ll know for myself tomorrow,” Loughnane said.
“I’ll just keep it the same as at home, try not to change too much. Obviously, I’ve got my own style, so stick with that and see.
“I’ve been successful and had a lot of support from trainers at home, and had some nice rides, especially across the last six to eight months, so hopefully I can keep it going out here.”
Good Banter ($17 with Sportsbet), in race six, a benchmark 78 handicap over 2000m, will be his first assignment. She drops back in grade from a fifth at Flemington over 1600m. Captain Amelia ($14), a last-start winner at Canterbury, is in the next race, a 1300m benchmark 78.
“Both mares are good chances,” O’Shea said.
“It’s all about luck in running at Rosehill obviously, but if they can get to the right spot, they will be a good chance.
“They way the track should play tomorrow, just a bit of fire out of it, it should be fair enough for Captain Amelia.
“Good Banter, her best performances are at 10 furlongs at listed grade, and she’s dropping back a bit in class.”