Teenage riding sensation Billy Loughnane is to have his first ride in a Classic this weekend - just seven months after his jockey debut.
The 17-year-old, nicknamed ‘Billy The Kid’, passed the latest milestone in a prolific start to his career when he rode out his 5lb claim at Musselburgh on Sunday when he partnered his 50th winner.
He is set to achieve another landmark next Sunday after being booked to ride Sweet Harmony in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.
Sweet Harmony, owned by 2,000 Guineas-winning owner Phil Cunningham and trained by Richard Spencer, finished seventh of 15 in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket last month.
“We’d had Hollie Doyle pencilled in to ride the filly but I believe she is elsewhere on Sunday so Phil Cunningham and I decided to see if Billy is available," said Spencer.
“He’s not been riding that long but he’s made a name for himself very quickly. He’s ridden for us once and gave the horse a lovely ride. It’s good to have him aboard.”
Sweet Harmony is a 66-1 shot with William Hill but Spencer, who also saddles 25-1 chance Naomi Lapaglia in the race, believes she will not be disgraced.
“She wasn’t beaten far in the Rockfel behind Commissioning and in the trial at Newmarket she probably wasn’t drawn the right side otherwise she might have finished closer," he said.
“I think she will outrun her odds. She is very well, she has come on for that run and I couldn’t be happier with her. Having a young lad like Billy on for his first ride in a Classic, I know he’ll be giving it 110 per cent.”
Naomi Papaglia has had one start, winning a Kempton fillies’ novice in November, and will be the mount of Kieran Shoemark.
“She won on her debut and we do rate her highly,” said Spencer. “She had a visit to Newmarket during Craven week and worked nicely. She’s taken a big step forward from then.”
Loughnane, the son of trainer Mark Loughnane, has made a spectacular start to his career and has ridden 44 winners this year with 23 coming during January.
