2022 Apprentice Jockeys to follow

The weather is improving, the nights are staying lighter for longer and gone are those dark, cold winter nights. That can only mean one thing, the return of the flat and the new turf season traditionally kicking off at Doncaster with the first Heritage Handicap in the form of the Lincoln.

As I do at the start of each season, I’ve earmarked some apprentice jockeys who I think can make a big splash throughout the Summer.

CHRISTIAN HOWARTH

Claim: (7)

Stable: Marco Botti

Career winners to date: 16

The very talented Christian Howarth has been making a good name for himself on the all weather this winter and is not far off reducing his claim from seven pounds down to five.

Christian has been seen to good effect on the six year old grey mare Nuble for boss Marco Botti, with the duo teaming up for two successes around Lingfield in January as well as forging winning connections with Tommy Taylor for the upwardly mobile Grant Tuer yard, Almaan for the Henry Spiller team and Vaxholm for Lambourn based Stan Moore.

I fully expect the seven pounds to have gone before we head into the main chunk of the Summer action, but with a healthy five pound claim, a good riding ability and neatness in a finish, Christian Howarth is a young rider well worth watching this season.

HARRY DAVIES

Claim: (7)

Stable: Andrew Balding

Career winners to date: 6

Fresh from making the transition to apprentice jockey after a successful stint in the pony racing ranks, Harry Davies is a jockey held in very high regard at such an early stage of his career.

Having joined the Kingsclere base of Andrew Balding, a hotbed for producing and developing the likes of two time champion jockey Oisin Murphy and serial Group One winning William Buick, Harry Davies looks to be well ahead of his age as far as in saddle ability goes.

Harry appears to have bagged the plum ride aboard the strongly fancied Godolphin four year old Modern News in Saturday’s Lincoln. The seventeen year old has already tasted victory in the famous royal blue silks, when delivering Tranquil Night with a good move to win by two lengths at Kempton last month.

The seven pound claim appears to be gold dust and is one that I can’t see lasting for too long. It’s quite hard to believe Harry is only seventeen ,however he is very much one to follow this season especially with that all important seven pound claim to go to war with.

Frederick Larson

Claim: (5)

Stable: Mick Appleby

Career wins to date: 24

Frederick Larson has taken a rather unique pathway into racing. Similar to Christian Howarth, Frederick was on the books of established Premier League side Crystal Palace as a kid before turning his attention to race riding.

This Winter has proved to be a breakout one for the 22 year old, reducing his claim from seven down to five as well as riding a solid amount of winners in the process. With the strong backing of his boss Mick Appleby, it comes as no surprise to see Frederick flourishing.

Unfortunately, a broken arm sustained on the gallops has ruled Frederick out until May which has temporarily halted a very fast moving career. Once fully race fit again, Frederick is a young rider to keep note of for the main bulk of the Summer and beyond.

Sam Feilden

Claim: (7)

Stable: Karl Burke

Career winners to date: 1

Despite only having just the one career victory so far, Sam Feilden is a jockey to watch this season. Nephew of successful Newmarket trainer Julia, Sam was born into a good racing family that has seen both Shelley and Ross Birkett enjoy fruitful stints in the saddle.

Sam has not long moved up to the Spigot Lodge base of top Northern trainer Karl Burke and has had a handful of rides since. Sam’s sole success was achieved at Yarmouth in August aboard Heer’s Sadie for auntie, Julia.

As the season hots up along with the one meeting rule, Sam Feilden is a name many people can expect to see popping up in the winners enclosure at various stages throughout the season. His seven pound claim should be a welcome addition to the Karl Burke team and I’m sure Sam will be wanting to build upon his total of sixty one rides to date so far.

Jonny Peate

Claim: (7)

Stable: Mark Johnston

Career winners to date: 18

Fresh from winning the Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Series last season, Jonny Peate comes into the new campaign with high hopes.

2021 was a productive year for Jonny with seventeen winners to his name as well as forging successful contacts with Grant Tuer, Tony Coyle, Stella Barclay and Cotswolds based Richard Phillips.

Going into the new turf campaign, Jonny is only a small handful of winners away from having his claim reduced from seven down to five, which is still incredibly good value for a rider who can ride at a light weight and is tactically versatile as well as being strong in a finish.

Having the powerful Middleham ammunition of Mark Johnston’s to support him throughout the Summer, a possible tilt at the Apprentice Jockeys Championship could be a realistic aim this year.

Ryan Sexton

Claim: (7)

Stable: Adrian Keatley

Career winners to date: six

Attached to the Irish Classic winning yard of Adrian Keatley, Ryan Sexton has made a smooth transition across from Ireland.

The talented seven pound claimer first tasted success in the U.K when teaming up with Captain Vallo at Newcastle for former jockey turned trainer Phillip Makin. Further success has followed with a strong start to 2022. Wins aboard Possible Ambition, Shalaa Asker, Invervention and Chookie Dunedin have set Ryan up for a good crack at the turf season.

A rapidly growing contacts book will see this extremely talented rider in high demand over the course of the season. Ryan Sexton is definitely a name to keep on the right side of.

Thank you for reading. Imagery courtesy of JTW Equine Images

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