Race Reports from the 2021 series can be found below.

Final

Report by Paddy Aspell

Go Jonny Go

Nine months have passed by swiftly since the latest renewal of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series began and
ended on Town Moor at Doncaster.

We have been treated to an abundance of promise in the saddle throughout the season and round 10 (Final) also failed to disappoint in that department.

One of Middleham based Mark Johnston’s latest additions to their deep talent of apprentices, Jonny Peate, secured the concluding round of the White Rose Saddlery sponsored series.

Seventeen-year-old Peate who won on his first ever ride at Wolverhampton has impressed this year and was again seen to good effect on the Tony Coyle trained Broken Spear.  It was a case of two races in the early stages as the 22-runner strong field split into a
couple of groups until merging together approaching the last quarter of a mile.

Having never been far off the pace, Jonny hit the front a furlong from home where despite his mount drifting left, the pair crossed the line with a length and a half to spare over his closest pursuer.

Going into the race Peate had already managed to secure 14 points throughout the series with this win putting him into 3rd place on 32 points, behind Rhys Clutterbuck (37 pts) and the 2021 winner and long-time leader Oisin McSweeney (48 pts).

Lots of new names appeared on the circuit this year so I think it’s fair to say the emerging riding talent coming through is extremely exciting for the future. Well done to all involved, winner Oisin McSweeney, kind sponsors White Rose Saddlery, The Go Racing in Yorkshire team, jockeys, trainers and staff.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reporting and following how the series has
developed since beginning back in March.

Round 9 – Catterick

Report by Paddy Aspell

Sexton Lords It Up

Saturday saw a new name appear on the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series table, as Malton based rider Ryan Sexton got the Phil Kirby trained Lord Torranaga home by half a length in the finale at Catterick, despite a bump close home, to register 18 points on his first ride in the White Rose Saddlery supported series.

Round 9 was the penultimate race of the 2021 renewal and it was run in pretty easy underfoot conditions with the field, as they so often do at Catterick under such circumstances, finishing under the stands side rail.

For the early part of the race, Sexton sat midfield on the French bred six-year-old who was stepping up in trip and when asked, gave generously for pressure.  Although a previous AW/Hurdles winner he was shedding his maiden tag on the turf at the eighteenth attempt.

This was the 18-year-old riders fourth success having partnered his first UK winner earlier in the week at Newcastle. Ryan had already registered two winners back in his native Ireland before making the move earlier this year to join Adrian Keatley as an apprentice.

It has been a slow start as Sexton had to complete a required licencing course in order to be granted permission to ride in the UK. However, the younger brother of Cheltenham winning jump jockey Kevin, is starting to make an impression and could be set for a busy all-weather campaign this winter.

Oisin Mcsweeney who has been setting the pace from an early stage in the series, grabbed six more precious points by finishing third, taking his total to 48 and stretching his lead by eleven over nearest rival, Rhys Clutterbuck. Third placed Saffie Osborne has recently been forced to stop riding in order to treat a recurring injury, so with just one more round remaining, it’s a match race!

The final round at Doncaster on the 6th November is where the series concludes, let’s hope Mcsweeney and Clutterbuck are both in action – will the prize go south or can the Kevin Ryan based rider hang on to his long-time lead?

Round 8 – York

Report by Paddy Aspell

Tuer’s Hero

Contract farmer turned leading flat trainer isn’t a story you will see every day, however this was the scenario as the Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series moved on to the Knavesmire where York hosted round eight, leaving just one round remaining in this year’s renewal before the final at Doncaster on the 6^th November.

Grant Tuer is the trainer behind the above-mentioned scenario and 2021 has seen the former successful amateur rider’s stock rise at pace. I was lucky enough to ride a few national hunt winners for the stable before the Yorkshireman took a step back from the training ranks to concentrate on full time contract farming.

Fast forward several years and Tuer is back, this time with just a flat licence at his previous base at Wiske House Farm Stables on the outskirts of Northallerton with ever-growing numbers and the Pierre-Louis Jamin ridden Emaraty Hero provided the handler with his 41^st winner this calendar year.

Karl Burkes apprentice has a fine (50%) strike rate when riding for the stable and the NG Racing syndicate were on hand to greet their winner who could be turned out unpenalized at Carlisle on Wednesday, another fine example of his shrewd trainers planning.

Pierre-Louis just tracked the early pace on this strapping son of Loup De Vega until sending the four-year-old to the front two furlongs out to win by a cosy three and a quarter lengths at the finish, recording the fastest time of the meeting. The young rider was actually registering his first points in the series and in doing so put himself in joint 5^th position on 18 points.

Oisin Mcsweeney retains a five-point lead at the head of the table and he continues in good form but still has half a dozen riders within range of top spot so the excitement continues.

Huge thanks as always to White Rose Saddlery of Malton for their continued and much appreciated support of the series.

Round 7 – Thirsk

Report by Paddy Aspell

Luke out for Catton

The rain had arrived over night at Thirsk, the venue for round seven of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series.

On ground originally described as good to soft at the North Yorkshire track, following a couple of races this was officially changed to soft all over. The Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series race was the concluding event on the card and the five apprentices involved would need to be selective in choosing their ground wisely.

Following a busy week’s action on the level and national hunt racing in the UK currently on a break, the fields up and down the country were pretty small. However, with the latest round being a maiden handicap, a first success was awaiting for one of the five declared runners.

As per usual, Fridays are a busy racing day, thus giving the opportunity to some new names all in search of vital points. Local handler David O’Meara saddled the favourite Musahaba under the experienced Irish apprentice Adam Farragher, but it was the filly, Dana Forever under Luke Catton for bang in form Cheshire trainer Tom Dascombe, who held their draw from stall five and ploughed a lone furrow closer to the stands rail making all to hit the line a ready winner at the 21^st attempt.

Catton is based with trainer Richard Hannon and was registering his first points in the series. Dascombe is known for providing opportunities to younger riders so don’t be surprised to see him call on the riders’ services in the coming weeks.

There was no change at top end of the table following round seven, so it’s onto the Knavesmire next time, where the apprentices get a huge chance to ride a winner at home of the Ebor venue, York racecourse on the 5^th September.

Good luck to all involved and thanks once again to White Rose Saddlery for their continued support.

Round 6 – Redcar

Report written by Paddy Aspell

Winning Component

A sun baked Sunday afternoon meeting at the seaside track, Redcar was
the stage for round six of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars
Apprentice Series, kindly supported by Malton based White Rose
Saddlery.

With the forecast weekend heatwave in full flow, the ground conditions
reflected this and the nine original declarations on Friday morning were
reduced to six. Despite this a competitive field went to post for the
fourteen furlong nightcap.

Mark Johnston saddled one of the more fancied runners ridden by stable
apprentice Johnny Peate, so early pace was assured as the Kingsley House
inmate led the field from the start. The field raced tightly but all the riders
were aware not to allow the strong staying pacesetter to get an easy
lead.

The race really began to develop as they turned to face the judge and
make the long four furlong dash for home, it was here where the David
Barron trained four year old, Teescomponentsfly under the excellent
Oisin Mcsweeney moved alongside the early pacesetter and the race was
well in truly on.

Only one horse came from the rear to challenge, but Mcsweeney and his
very willing partner were able to hold Gift Of Raaj off by half a length,
giving the trainer a double on the afternoon and in doing so, putting his
rider to top of the series on 42 points, five clear of nearest pursuer Rhys
Clutterbuck.

There are now just three more rounds remaining before the final at
Doncaster in November, with Thirsk set to host round seven on August
6th.

Round 5 – Beverley

Report written by Paddy Aspell

Round Five Goes South

Some different race conditions for round five of our Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series again kindly supported by White Rose Saddlery, provided another opportunity to see some fresh names appear on the race card at Beverley.

The riders involved couldn’t have ridden more than fifty winners to date which is a great initiative to give less experienced riders the chance of securing a better mount with a competitive chance in this event.

Nine runners took their chance in the line up, a class six contest open to three year olds only which was run over the minimum five furlong trip. Low draws when underfoot conditions are on the quick side are generally favourable at Beverley.

That’s just what Show Yourself had for trainer James Tate and young rider Stefani Cherchi, who was adding his name to the winners board in the current series, bringing his total points to nineteen and just hovering below a place on the podium in fourth position.

Sent off at 3/1 the winner was very solid in the market and got away very smartly from his low stall to go from pillar to post, giving weight away to all of her rivals in doing so. Cherchi was paying a rare visit to the track but looked very accomplished in the saddle and it would be no surprise to see his mount’s Newmarket handler call on the services of the talented young Italian going forward.

Things are really starting to hot up in the series table now with a number of other riders in yesterday’s line up adding to their points tally to remain in reach of the leaders having now passed the halfway mark in this year’s renewal.

The 18^th of July at Redcar will be the next opportunity for  apprentices to shine when the seaside track will play host to round six.

Round 4 – Wetherby

Report written by Paddy Aspell

Yagood and Rhys on a Parr

A beautiful summer evening welcomed racegoers to Wetherby for a competitive seven race card, where the concluding contest gave our budding apprentice riders another opportunity to show their talent in the saddle.

It was the biggest field so far in this season’s Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series, supported by White Rose Saddlery, with fifteen runners facing the judge over a marathon two miles.

Despite conditions being on the lively side following the current dry spell with the ground officially described as Good to Firm, the welcome large field allowed several riders already on the points table to again compete but also included some new faces to the line-up.

One of the most experienced pilots on show, Oliver Stammers, took the early lead from stall nine, setting some sound early fractions with the runners well spread out as they turned away from the stands. Passing the five furlongs start many of the young riders were getting to work on their mounts, but the eye was drawn to the light blue colours of owner/trainer Joseph Parr’s Yagood, with his rider Rhys Clutterbuck sitting motionless as he began to try and close the early leaders down.

Connections must have been anxious that the Gary Moore based Clutterbuck had set his partner too much to do as the pair switched out wide at the top of the straight, but the distress signals started to show on the pacesetters as the line drew closer with the chestnut son of Teofilo collaring the positively ridden Pound Off You in the shadow of the post. A truly fantastic, well-judged ride by Clutterbuck who was getting the leg up on Yagood for the first and probably not the last time.

That’s the second success for Rhys in the series and with thirty-seven points accumulated, he is now the current leader as we approach the halfway point.

Beverley is the set to host round five on Tuesday, 22^nd June and with plenty of points still up for grabs, the current series standings could all change once again!

Good luck to all involved.

 

Round 3 – Pontefract

Report written by Paddy Aspell

Sean’s good for the Soul

With the Qipco Guineas meeting set to take centre stage at racing HQ this weekend, The Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series round three was the only race at the forefront of the six apprentices eagerly chasing points in the concluding contest on Wednesday afternoon, this time Pontefract was the venue.

Series leader Oisin McSweeney was hoping to increase his advantage as  Saffie Osborne currently lying in the silver medal position, didn’t have a mount, but rode a fantastic double at Ascot instead.

A few new names featured in the line up of just six for this  handicap, run over a very fast but stiff five furlongs. As expected the underfoot conditions were on the quick side and a strong early pace looked on the cards.

The theme that was hopefully obvious to each rider as the afternoon wore on, was that in front was the place to be and early race fractions were holding up very well.

This was something that certainly didn’t pass Soul Seekers pilot and the excellent Sean Kirrane had his mount out sharp and into stride from his inside draw in stall one. The pair were kept honest on the front end by Billy Garritty on the favourite, recent course and distance winner Ventura Express.

Despite having to carry plenty of weight, Kirrane’s partner gave generously for pressure off the home turn and although brushing against the running rail briefly, the pair always had matters in hand to get home a length and a quarter too good for the favourite at the line.

David O’Meara the winning trainer, has not for the first time picked up horses from the master of Rosewell house, trainer Dermot Weld and done extremely well with them. Soul Seeker was having just his eighth start and followed up on a good debut for his new handler, enjoying the better ground.

Let’s hope the winning rider can keep the momentum going after a long enforced absence due to a shoulder issue, which has now hopefully been put behind him.

Oisin did manage to finish fourth, picking up four points to keep him at the head of proceedings for the time being.

The next round doesn’t come along until Tuesday 22^nd June at Beverley, but maybe, ground permitting, will provide a bigger field and more opportunities for the young riders to secure valuable points in this excellent series.

Round 2 – Ripon

Report written by Paddy Aspell

Saffie looks Dapper

Ripon hosted the second round of the Future Stars Apprentice Series over the undulating flying five furlongs.

Although a very generous prize was on offer, just the seven runners took their chance on ground described as good. With neither of the leaders having a ride in this round, Oisin Mcsweeney had the opportunity to take the advantage and on this occasion had the leg up on Abate for Thirsk trainer Adrian Nicholls.

A high draw on the straight track is very often favourable at this North Yorkshire venue and that is just what Dapper Man had, with the very talented Saffie Osborne, who recently returned from serious injuries following a fall at Windsor last year, taking the ride.

Roger Fell’s gelding was making his second appearance in this race and he held his draw accordingly, breaking sharp and getting out on the front end of proceedings. Although showing plenty of early dash, the seven year old son of Dark Angel didn’t make life easy for his pilot by consistently hanging right away from the desired stands side running rail.

Saffie showed her experience by keeping her mount going forward to the best of her ability despite her mount drifting towards the far side rail and in the process covering more ground than required. As the line drew closer, Dapper Man faced opposition from both sides and despite his wayward tendencies throughout the contest, the pair held on to win by a length and a half from the rallying Abate.

The winning rider, who has evented to a high level on the international circuit, is certainly bred to be capable in the saddle and the early signs are very promising indeed. This latest success takes her straight on into second place on 20 points, just one behind early pacesetter, the Kevin Ryan based apprentice Mcsweeney.

Pontefract is set to stage the next round in this exciting series on Wednesday 28^th April. Good luck to all riders involved as we follow their careers with great interest.

 

Round 1 – Doncaster, Two Divisions

Saturday saw not only the return of the flat turf season at Doncaster, but also the return of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series, supported by White Rose Saddlery.

Being oversubscribed at the declaration stage the race was split into two divisions.  The first division was won by Rhys Clutterbuck, riding Leroy Leroy for Epsom based Jim Boyle.

Leroy Leroy was settled towards the rear of the field as the running was made by the Keith Dalgleish trained Finally Mine and Saffie Osborne.  By halfway, Rhys had squeezed Leroy Leroy closer to mid division and, on the outside, had a clear view ahead of them.

As runners turned into the home straight to cover the last half mile, the field began to bunch together as the young riders jostled for position.  Johnathan Fisher, riding Visibility for Scott Dixon was the first to make a challenge at the same time as Rhys let the brakes off Leroy Leroy and the pair set sail for home.

He quickly made an impression, before looking to hang slightly, however Rhys quickly got him back on track and the first five had a real ding dong to the line, with Leroy Leroy and Rhys getting the better of Engles Rock and Oisin McSweeney by a head and a short head back to William Carver riding Le Bayou.

Division two saw Callum Hutchinson, the son of former jump jockey Wayne, land the spoils for Ed De Giles on Francisco Bay, beating Phoenix Aquilus by three quarters of a length.  Phoenix Aquilus was ridden by Benoit De La Sayette who had won the Unibet Lincoln earlier in the day.

In similar fashion to division one, Francisco Bay was held up towards the back and outside of the field.  Approaching the home turn, the first two, Motahassen riding by Zak Wheatley and Party Island ridden by George Bass had a near 10 length advantage.

With two furlongs to go the chase was on and a strong drive from Callum encouraged Francisco Bay to pick up and make ground as the front two started to drop back.  A strong challenge came from Phoenix Aquilus, but Francisco Bay wasn’t going to be denied.

It was wonderful to see so many apprentices taking place and we look forward to seeing a renewed match at the next race in the series at Ripon on Thursday 15^th April.