Royal Ascot is an incredible stage for spotting future talent, both equine and human. There were plenty of horses to take away from the action this week – no more so than Fairy Godmother and Calandagan on Friday – and while Ryan Moore cemented his leadership in the current jockeys’ standings it was a young 18-year-old rider this week who strongly suggested he might be challenging him in future years.
Billy “The Kid” Loughnane started Royal Ascot steering Rashabar to a shock 80-1 Coventry Stakes victory and continued the great work on Friday with victory aboard Soprano in the Sandringham Filles’ Handicap. He said afterwards: “This week just keeps getting better and better. It doesn’t get better than riding a winner here. I was so lucky earlier on in the week to have landed one and take the pressure off. I said on Monday night that I would be disappointed if I drew a blank for the week but, wow, the feeling doesn’t get old.”
The lad looks a serious talent in the making. Meanwhile, we’re back tomorrow for the final day - it’s a marathon not a sprint!
Star boy @loughnane_billy! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/32PyJXBEkS
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2024
