Identifying the next generation of talent is an important part of future-proofing any sport and Horse Racing is no different.
One key aspect of how this is done in Flat racing is through the Apprentice system, where trainers are encouraged to use young riders who need the experience through incentives such as weight allowances.
We’ve picked out 10 up-and-coming riders at various stages of their careers but they all have the potential to grow their profiles substantially in 2025.
Apprentice weight allowance
Apprentice jockeys begin their careers by claiming 7lb, which means their horse’s weight is reduced by that amount during the race. Once a jockey hits the 20-winner milestone, that is reduced to 5lb until their 50th winner. They then claim 3lb until they hit 95 winners and they cease to provide a weight allowance after that point.
The apprentice jockey and trainer relationship
This is a two-way relationship which benefits all parties, as trainers gain financial reward for supporting young jockeys and the weight allowance can be a big help in handicaps. The jockeys gain valuable advice and experience from working with a trainer and a good relationship can make all the difference.
Identifying promising jockeys
You can usually tell fairly early on who is destined to make it to the top. In Apprentice races, wherein all the riders are inexperienced, the ones with the best technique and those strong in a finish quickly become apparent.
Statistics aren’t the be-all and end-all but young riders that can maintain healthy strike-rates often stand out from the crowd. Forging relationships with big name trainers is also a good way of getting your foot in the door.
What challenges do up-and-coming riders face?
First and foremost, it’s a very saturated market as there are plenty of young riders with designs on becoming a jockey. There’s so much competition for rides and you need skill, a good attitude and a slice of luck in order to rise to the top.
Flat jockeys especially have to ride at very low weights, which can be hard for many people and sometimes even a good diet isn’t enough. That comes with obvious health concerns as skipping meals is prevalent in the weighing room.
It’s a high-pressure role which comes with a high risk of injury. Once you’re in the door, it’s important to stay present and long term injuries can stall a young jockey’s momentum, which can lead to them losing rides and opportunities.
Dylan Browne McMonagle
McMonagle seems to have been around for a long time, despite the fact that he is just 22 years old, and he rode his first winner at the age of 16. Based with Joseph O’Brien, you would imagine that he will be one of the main beneficiaries of the fact that O’Brien is going to be focussing on the Flat, despite being a dual-purpose trainer. He’s a natural horseman and keeps a cool head throughout a race, which are two things that serve him well as a jockey.
Billy Loughnane
This teenage sensation burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old and hasn’t left the spotlight since. It was immediately obvious that his riding technique was already refined and he was the dominant force in the Apprentice Jockeys’ Championship in 2023. He has already linked up with some big names and has developed a good connection with the up-and-coming trainer George Boughey. Loughnane is slight in frame but packs plenty of power and is very strong in the finish.
Connor Beasley
Not as young as most on this list, Connor Beasley has more of a journeyman profile but this could be the year his career truly kicks off. He rides mostly at the northern tracks and will surely get plenty of opportunities this season. Weight isn’t an issue for Beasley, who has the ideal build for a Flat jockey. Consistency is key for him and it’s very rare that he makes a mistake.
Sean D Bowen
Bowen was a very popular apprentice last season and his claim dwindled quickly, winning the title with 62 winners across the year. With 12 winners on the board already this year, he could be in for another big campaign and further development is anticipated. There’s very little to criticise technique-wise and he has the natural knack for getting his horses’ heads in front, which is an ideal trait for any burgeoning jockey. His status as champion apprentice will provide him with plenty more opportunities in 2025 and beyond.
Callum Rodriguez
A level-headed rider, Rodriguez is also tactically astute and very strong in a finish, which is never a bad thing. He has established himself as stable jockey to Ed Bethell, who himself is a potential star of the future. Bethell already has Group 1 winners to his name and he should provide Rodriguez with some smart rides over the course of the season.
Joe Leavy
This young rider chased Sean D Bowen all the way in the race for the Apprentice Jockeys’ Championship and lost nothing in defeat there. Obviously he retains lots of potential for the new season and he’s another one that should be learning all the time. Leavy had a strike-rate of 16 per cent last season (between May 3rd and October 18th), which is three per cent higher than his title rival Bowen. A total of 42 winners from 265 rides during this time is more than respectable and he amassed more than £500,000 in prize money.
Kaiya Fraser
Attached to the Harry Eustace yard, apprentice rider Fraser finished third behind Bowen and Leavy but had considerably fewer rides. His 180 rides yielded 34 winners, giving him a very healthy strike-rate of 19 per cent, which was the best of any apprentice in the top 10. Fraser gained some attention when riding a 307/1 treble at Ayr back in October. He already has a total of 81 winners to his name and surely it won’t be long before his claim disappears.
Warren Fentiman
Son of former jockey Duran Fentiman, Warren has made an excellent start to his career and looks like a very tidy rider. He learnt the ropes in the pony racing scene and has the backing of the powerful and numerically large Richard Fahey yard. Well balanced and strong in the saddle, his future is looking particularly bright. Fentiman has made a good start to the year, firing 24 winners from 203 rides.
Jack Doughty
Trainer Tony Carroll had a particularly good year last year and hit the 100-winner milestone, which was certainly in part due to apprentice rider Jack Doughty. He rode 60 winners in 2024 and 31 of those counted towards his fourth-place finish in the Apprentice championship. Doughty is a good all-rounder in the saddle and has the scope to develop further.
Tom Kiely-Marshall
He is probably the least experienced rider on this list but managed to finish in the top 10 in the Apprentice Jockeys Championship. Riding 15 winners from just 101 rides there, his 15 per cent strike-rate was the third best in the top 10. Kiely-Marshall is probably in need of some more contacts but if he continues to ride at a healthy strike-rate, his name will continue to rise and hopefully, more rides and winners will be on the agenda in 2025.