Five Young Jockeys to Keep an Eye On

Jockeys Training at Dawn

Graham Clark

The buzz and furore of Royal Ascot might be done and dusted for another 12 months, but there is still plenty of top class action on the flat with recommended racing bookies from First.com to look forward to for the rest of the year.

With the likes of Newmarket’s July Festival, Glorious Goodwood and York’s Ebor Meeting still to come there is no shortage of top class racing on offer for fans to be excited about.

While there are plenty of Group One races on offer at those meetings running alongside them will be numerous valuable handicaps, which trainers will be just as keen to target.

Quite often in these races the use of a good apprentice jockey can be worth their weight in gold when taking what could prove to be a valuable few pounds off the back of a horse to give it a stronger chance of victory.

However, the right apprentice needs to be selected as not all will have such nous to excel on occasions when the stakes are at the highest.

This year however has seen a number of new faces burst on to the scene to suggest they could well be stars of the future given the bright starts they have made to their careers in the saddle.

1) Warren Fentiman

Warren Fentiman has made quite the splash already this year on the all-weather circuit and he has continued to get plenty of noticeable bookings on the turf.

A career in racing was always likely to beckon for the 17 year old rider, who is the son of fellow flat jockey Duran Fentiman.

After demonstrating his talents on the big stage with victory in Stormy Impact for his boss Richard Fahey in the 3Y0 ‘Dash’ at Epsom Downs on Derby day the 17 year-old secured a number of rides at Royal Ascot last week.

Among those calling on his services at the Royal meeting were the likes of Gavin Cromwell, William Haggas, and Paul and Olly Cole.

Success might have eluded Fentiman, who has already seen his claim reduced from seven pounds to five, at the Royal meeting, but expect to see his name booked up to plenty more decent rides through the summer and beyond.

2) Mason Paetal

Sean D Bowen claimed the apprentice jockey title in 2024 thanks to the backing of trainer James Owen and this year the Newmarket handler appears to have another leading youngster on his hands in Mason Paetel.

At just 16 years of age Paetel is one of the youngest members of the weighing room, but he already looks like he could be a potential star of the future given the start to the career he has made.

His talents have stood out in apprentice only contests, but even against established professionals he looks the part and is good value for his seven pounds claim, which is unlikely to last much longer.

Even when that claim gets reduced further to five pounds and then three pounds he looks a rider to keep on side.

3) Jack Callan

Following in the footsteps of a family member that has already carved out a successful career in sport brings with it an additional level of pressure, however Jack Callan seems to have inherited the genes from his dad, that of Group One winning rider Neil Callan.

After picking up a handful of rides as an amateur over the last two years the 18 year old, who is based in Newmarket with George Boughey, has hit the ground running since changing his status to an apprentice.

Already into double figures in terms of winners this year Callan has been catching the eye of plenty of yards from across the country with trainers like Johnathan Portman, Kevin Ryan and Roger Teal among those to use his services, which bodes well for the future.

Picking up outside rides is important for any young jockey, but Callan is in the perfect place to flourish as a rider with Classic winning handler Boughey in charge of one of Newmarket’s fast growing, and most exciting strings, meaning he will get plenty of opportunities to shine.

4) Jack Dace

With a talented jockey roster already on his books it speaks volumes that trainer Ralph Beckett has taken on apprentice jockey Jack Dace as well this season.

Only those with real talent get the chance to be part of such an operation, however the Classic winning handler was suitably impressed by Dace following a trial earlier this year.

Racing is very much in the pedigree of Dace with his dad Luke a trainer in his own right, and someone he can expect to call upon for rides as well.

Although Dace is unlikely to be partnering any of the big guns down at Kimpton Down Stables in the near future expect to see his name appearing on some of those in big handicaps that will benefit from having weight taken off their back.

5) Ashley Lewis

Ashley Lewis has only burst onto the scene since the start of the year, however he has made quite the impact in recent weeks.

Based down in Lower Beeding with Gary and Josh Moore, the 17 year old has already had a taste of success on the big stage after steering Small Fry to glory for the Moores on Derby day down at Epsom Downs having previously won on him at Chester’s May Meeting.

Judging by the way in which he scored aboard the gelded son of Harzand at the iconic Surrey venue last time out he is unlikely to keep his seven pounds claim for long.

Being based with the Moores will ensure he is given the right education to succeed from a family that excels in horsemanship.