Horse Racing
Champion Apprentice Jockey Billy Loughnane To Ride In Australia Over The Winter
Andy is a horse racing journalist and betting expert who specializes in trends and stats. With his long association with TrainersQuotes and FromTheStables, Andy has also built up solid contacts with some of the best stables in the UK. Has written for GeeGeez and bookmakers Matchbook and BetBright in the past too, plus was the former sports betting editor of odds comparison site Easyodds and Juicestorm. Has also appeared on betting podcasts for MatchBook and has featured in the popular Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide in the past. Andy's also ghost written for former top jockey Richard Dunwoody and continues to have a monthly column in the Racing Ahead horse racing magazine. Now a regular on Sportscasting giving his views, trends and tips mainly on horse racing - if there's a stat to be explored and it's a sport, Andy is sure to find a betting angle to use.
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Billy Loughnane, one of the most promising young jockeys riding in the UK at the moment, has revealed he’ll be off to ride in Australia this winter.
Billy Loughnane To Ride In Australia Over The Winter
18 year-old jockey Billy Loughnane, who has ridden 118 winners so far this season (and counting), told AtTheRaces that he’ll be jetting off to Australia over the winter – in order to ride over there and gain more experience in the saddle.
Loughnane, who has become a big favourite with horse racing fans, revealed his Down Under plans after riding his 118th winner of the season at Yarmouth on Tuesday 17th September – when he cruised home by 9 1/2 lengths on the Charlie Johnston-trained Green Storm.
"I'm just going for a couple of months to try get a bit more experience!"
Exciting times ahead for @loughnane_billy as he will head to Australia at the end of the season… pic.twitter.com/jftDyngYtk
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 17, 2024
Loughnane, who was crowned the Champion Apprentice in 2023, has now ridden over 250 career winners (254 as 17th Sept), but despite heading off to Australia in the coming months he wants to aim for 150 winners before the 2024 season is over.
When asked about his Australia trip Loughnane said “I’ve just going for a couple of months to try get a little bit more experience. I’m really looking forward to it – I’ve done the last two winters here so I’m looking forward to a bit of a change.”
This isn’t the first time Loughnane has left the UK to ride to gain experience – he rode out with Miami-based trainer David Meah back in February 2023.
When in Australia, Billy Loughnane will be based in Sydney with Gai Waterhouse – who won the 2013 Melbourne Cup, but is expected to also be riding for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
RELATED: Melbourne Cup Weights Revealed as Vauban Handed 8st 10lbs For 2024 Flemington Park Renewal
Billy Loughnane Career In Numbers
- Total Rides: 1835
- Total Wins: 254
- Total Career Winnings: £3,360,602
- Rides 2024: 899
- Wins 2024: 118
Note: Figures correct 17th Sept and subject to change
Billy Loughnane Rode His First Royal Ascot Winner in 2024
It was at Royal Ascot 2024 in the summer that Billy Loughnane spread his name further a field, after winning the Coventry Stakes on 80/1 outsider Rashabar (watch below), who is trained by Brian Meehan and runs in the famous Sangster colours.
Loughnane followed up this Royal Ascot win at the meeting just a few days later when he guided home the George Boughey-trained Soprano to win the 2024 Sandringham Stakes.
Who Is Jockey Billy Loughnane?
Billy Loughnane is an Irish jockey who is based on the UK and is the current British flat racing champion apprentice and has twice been the British AW Champion Apprentice.
Loughnane, who was born in March 2026, is the son of trainer Daniel Mark Loughnane, who is also based in England.
He became the youngest jockey since Lester Piggott in 1951 to ride in a British Classic – aged 17 – when he was booked to ride Sweet Harmoney in the 2023 1000 Guineas at Newmarket – finishing 14th (or 20) behind the winner Mawj.