With Oisin Murphy 45 wins clear of nearest pursuers Rossa Ryan and Tom Marquand, the 2024 Champion Jockey race appears all over bar the shouting, with Murphy surely on the cusp of adding a fourth title to those claimed in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
In contrast, it would take a brave man to call the winner of the Apprentice Jockeys Championship at this stage, with the race likely to go down to the final week as a season-long ding-dong battle reaches a thrilling conclusion.
Talented Quartet have Their Eyes on the Prize
Since kicking off in May, the race to become the 2024 Champion Apprentice has presented an intriguing subplot to the 2024 season, with the lead changing hands on five occasions. Mark Winn was the quickest out of the blocks and held the top spot at the end of May and June, only to be overtaken by Sean Dylan Bowen, whose early-summer hot streak took him into pole position in the middle of July.
Since then, Bowen has rarely been far from the lead without managing to shake off his pursuers. Jack Doughty briefly hit the front in August, but Bowen was back on top by the end of that month, with a small gap back to Winn and Doughty. However, a new challenge emerged in the shape of Joe Leavy. Way off the pace heading into August – not helped by a 17-day ban for an accumulation of minor offences – Leavy soon found his stride to rattle in 15 winners in August and a further seven in September to date.
That effort was enough to see Leavy become the fourth leader of the season. Back came Bowen, who rattled off seven wins in 17 rides to move five clear of the pack. Will that surge prove conclusive? Or do Leavy, Winn, or Doughty have a finishing flourish in their locker?
Rider Profiles
History suggests that whoever does come out on top may be worth keeping a close eye on when they enter the professional ranks, with the 21st Century list of Champion Apprentices including the names of Paul Hanagan, Ryan Moore, Tom Queally, Hayley Turner, William Buick, Oisin Murphy, and Tom Marquand. Let’s take a closer look at the four in contention in 2024.
Sean Dylan Bowen
County Tipperary native Bowen began his riding career in his homeland but moved to Britain at the beginning of the year in search of greater opportunities. It’s fair to say the 19-year-old has taken to his new setting like a duck to water.
The Steady Eddie of the title race, Bowen has registered six or more winners in every month of the season. James Owen has been his strongest supporter, followed by Ian Williams and David Evans, but his biggest win came aboard the Grant Tuer-trained Bellarchi in a hot Ascot handicap in May.
Joe Leavy
Son of trainer Barry Leavy, 19-year-old Joe made his debut in 2021 and has honed his craft over the past three seasons. A career-best 11 wins in 2023 suggested he may be ready to take the next step, and so it has proved.
Having picked up three wins in May, four in June, and three in July, Leavy was, at best, an outside contender for the title. And then came an electric 15 wins in August, to propel him into the lead. He has work to do once more but has the backing of the powerful Richard Hannon yard, and he showed he could handle the big occasion when bagging the Epsom Dash aboard Dream Composer on Derby Day.
Jack Doughty
The young man of the title race, 17-year-old Doughty arrived in the sport with little racing experience, and has impressed many with the speed of his ascent. Only making his debut in December 2023, the youngster has posted a fine effort to be involved in the title race at the first attempt.
Starting solidly with five wins in May, Doughty surged into contention with 10 wins from 47 rides in June. Solid since, he has already held the lead once this season and, with the help of Tony Carroll, won’t have given up hope of nosing in front at just the right time. However he fares this year, Jack Doughty is a name to remember for the future.
Mark Winn
At 21 years of age, Winn is the most experienced member of the foursome. Posting 25 wins in 2022 and 38 in 2023, Winn is well on course for his best-ever year. However, this will represent his final shot at the apprentice title, with the rider having ridden his 75th winner this season – triggering the end of his claiming days.
This year has followed a similar pattern to 2023 for Winn. Last year, the rider picked up 19 wins between May and July, only to tail off in the closing months. Sitting on 20 and bang in contention at the end of July 2024, a total of seven wins across August and September leaves him with work to do. However, as the number one apprentice to David O’Meara, he won’t be short of opportunities. It promises to be a thrilling battle for the title!
