Category: Apprentice Series
Eight horses lined up for the 2 mile race, which took place on Good to Soft ground, at the course’s Circus Family Fun Day, which was also day three of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet.
It was a unique card for Redcar as all seven races were confined to apprentice jockeys.
Team Endeavour, ridden by Tom Kiely-Marshall was swiftly away and eased into the lead, but he was quickly joined by Bodygroove and Rhys Elliott, who was rousted along to the head of affairs.
Bodygroove took up the running from Team Endeavour and Bollin Neil followed through in third under Elizabeth Gale.
Chillhi was quite keen and pulled his way into second, under current series leader, Mason Paetel, after a couple of furlongs, joining Bodygroove around the stables bend.
The field raced in pairs as they set out on the second circuit and stayed in formation around the final bend.
As they turned into the straight for the final time the pace began to quicken. Bollin Neil and Elemental Eye were gently pushed along as Rhys Elliot started to get stronger on Bodygroove. Chilli went on but was tackled by Bollin Neil and Elemental Eye, who responded well to Mohammed Tabti’s urgings and eventually won by one and a quarter lengths.
The next race in the series takes place at Thirsk on Friday, August 8.
Every race during Redcar’s popular Circus Family Fun Day on Sunday, July 20, day three of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, will be an apprentice race.
And the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) has given its support to the meeting for investing in the rising stars of the sport.
The PJA’s Executive Director, Dale Gibson, a former jockey himself, said: “The PJA very much supports these occasional apprentice cards. The fixture ties in with multiple participant welfare measures which have been introduced and expanded in recent years following PJA proposals, including extended code breaks and rider restricted meetings.
“Days like these create additional opportunities for younger jockeys to advertise their talents and gain invaluable additional experience, and at the same time provide a rare mid-summer day off for fully fledged Jockeys during an ever-demanding period of the year.
“Following on from the continued success of the apprentice only day at Goodwood last month we hope everyone involved will benefit for the additional experience and exposure, especially as the stand-alone Sunday flat fixture.”
The Redcar all-apprentice meeting has also been backed by former champion Jockey Paul Hanagan, who was champion apprentice in 2002. After riding 81 winners as an apprentice, Paul went on to become a classic-winning rider as well as champion jockey twice in 2010 and 2011.
He remains actively involved in the sport following his retirement and is highly respected throughout the industry.
Paul said: “I think it’s a great initiative and a real feather in Redcar’s cap to have a full apprentice meeting – I love the idea.
“I wish there had been something like this when I was an apprentice because it will be great experience and an important part of the learning curve for young jockeys. I hope it’s the start of something that can be built on.”
Apprentice jockey Rhys Elliott, who is attached to the Michael Dods stable and is a regular at Redcar, added: “I really welcome this because the more experience we can give young riders the better.”
Rhys won last year’s Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap at the corresponding meeting on Phil Kirby’s Gastronomy.
Amy Fair, Redcar’s general manager, said Redcar had been approached by the British Horseracing Authority to help trial the idea.
Amy said: “We were delighted to be asked and immediately saw it as a hugely positive initiative. Not only does it provide more opportunities and experience for apprentices, but it’s a way of giving our hard-working senior jockeys a break.
“It’s something new for the sport and we’re proud to be helping to blaze a trail.”
Following the withdrawal of Fair Call due to unsuitable ground, five three year olds went to post for the five furlong sprint on good to firm ground.
At the off, Azuinthejungle, ridden by Ethan Tindall, jumped into stride and quickly tracked across to the rail from his draw position of four.
The blinkered Sanbona, who also won the best turned out horse award, made the early running, but was pressed by Tanjen and Jake Dickson on the wide outside, with Art Of Fox under Tyrese Cameron coming up the middle, however, Sanbona had to be hard ridden and was quickly relegated to last position.
By the half-way point, Tanjen had moved across to race upsides Art Of Fox, who had now taken the rail and the field were tightly packed with Solar Biricz and Azuinthejungle close behind and Sanbona int the rear.
Azuinthejungle was going very easily and with a furlong to go just needed some room to get through. The gaps opened and he extended into the lead very easily, running up the inside of Art Of Fox and asserting in the final half-furlong, to win comfortably by two and a half lengths from Art Of Fox and Solar Biricz a length further back in third.
This was Ethan’s first ride in the series and the 18 points took him straight into joint third place. Mason Paetel still leads on 39 points with Archie Young in second on 29 points.
The next race in the series takes place at Redcar on Sunday 20th July, which is an all apprentice card and takes place during the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival week, which is sponsored by Sky Bet. You can book tickets here.
It was the final race of Wetherby’s 2025 season and although there were few runners, it provided a dramatic finish!
Run over 1m2f, on good to firm ground, the runners jumped out of the stalls and quickly dropped into Indian file, with Titainium leading under Archie Young, Bernalda and Fred Daly were in second and about five lengths further back were Bass Player for Alfie Gee and Jack Nicholls and Guendolen were in the rear.
Into the bend, the order stayed the same, although Guendolen moved upsides Bass Player, but only six lengths covered the field.
With three furlongs to go, Titainium maintained his lead, while the other three attempted to mount their challenges.
Titainium got a shake of the reins and Bernalda was looking the biggest danger as Fred Daly adopted the drive position, the two were so game and raced neck and neck for the final half furlong with the Grant Tuer trained Titainium winning by a short head.
This win moved Archie Young into a clear second on the leader board, having scored points at both Doncaster and Ripon, though he remains 10 points adrift of Mason Paetel.
The next round takes place at Beverley on Tuesday 24th June.
It was the last race on the seven-race card and with the meeting falling in the Easter Holidays, there was a great family, friendly atmosphere.
Eight runners were declared for the race, which took place on good ground, over a mile.
Bowood was slow out of the stalls, but Ripon specialist, Garden Oasis was quickly into the lead under Jake Dickson. Broken Spear, ridden by Rhys Elliott ran keenly and Overnight Oats, partnered by Mason Paetel, sat in between the two. About five lengths covered the field at this early stage.
Rounding the bend, Garden Oasis and Overnight Oats pulled five lengths clear of the field, with On The River and Warren Fentiman heading the rest of the pack.
With three furlongs to travel, they were well strung out, Garden Oasis and Overnight Oats leading the way with On The River in third and Yermanthere, ridden by Tom Kiely-Marshall close behind in fourth.
Approaching two out, Overnight Oats took the lead as the rest of the pack began to close. Dutch Decoy started to get into it with Pisanello, but the line came in time for Overnight Oats to win comfortably by a length from On The River and Pisanello and neck back in third. Garden Oasis stayed on into a gallant fourth.
The next round takes place at Wetherby on Monday, June 2, which is also their Ladies Evening.
The 22-year-old, from Lincolnshire and apprentice to Craig Lidster, was all but born on the back of horse. Both of his parents rode and William was quick to join in the family hobby, which mainly consisted of hacking and “messing around” in the fields at home.
As far as racing goes, William was a regular visitor to Market Rasen and Hexham, which is close to where is grandmother lives, but until he started his A Levels at college, that was the closest he got to racing. He explained how he ended up down the racing path.
“After completing my GCSE’s, I did a year of sixth form, but didn’t like it and wanted to work out how I could do something I actually enjoyed.
“I went to an open day at the National Horseracing College, signed up, spent three months riding ex-racehorses and then went straight into employment.”
William’s first job was with Ivan Furtado.
“I learnt a lot about keen horses and how to ride them at Ivan’s,” said William.
Looking to progress, William answered an advert placed by legendary Sheriff Hutton trainer, Mick Easterby, who was looking for an apprentice. It was here that the knowledge gain continued.
“I learnt a lot about horses,” said William, emphasising the word ‘lot’, “and about people.” He continued.
“I got my apprentice license at Mr Easterby’s, where I had about 70 rides and three winners, but in hindsight it was too soon as I wasn’t good enough.
“I took a punt and moved to Ed Bethell’s for a year, but it was a struggle. I spent a year doing very light weights for anyone who would put me up and it was tough.
“I started to ride out for Craig Lidster, who had just move to Eboracum stables in Easingwold. He was expanding and needed more staff. He was close to the Sheriff Hutton area, where I had really enjoyed living when I was at Easterby’s and everything felt right so I moved there at the end of 2022.”
Unfortunately for William, it wasn’t the smoothest of starts, as two months into the job he came off a yearling and broke his back, keeping him out of work for five months.
“Fortunately, it was a straight fracture of my T6 as I landed straight on my head. I felt quite a bit of uncertainty going back to work, but hit it off straight away with Craig and the team and I’m now into my third year with them.”
Reflecting on the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series, William credits his agent, Wilson Renwick, for finding him some winning rides.
Scoring three points on the first day at Doncaster, William had three consecutive winners in the series at Pontefract, Wetherby and Beverley and he was also prominent on the national table, until another injury kept him out of the saddle for five weeks.
“After winning the apprentice race at Beverley, I had a fall later in the card and broke my arm. It was the worst timing as we were in the height of the season and I was lying third in the national apprentice title.”
By this point, William already had a nearly unassailable lead in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice series and he did add a few more points to his tally at Catterick in October.
Currently, William spends two days a week at Craig Lidster’s Malton yard and also rides out for Ivan Furtado, Gemma Tutty, Tracey Waggott, Geoff Harker, Kevin Frost and David Loughnane, among others.
But he hasn’t contained his travelling to this country.
“Last winter was tough, we were trying to protect my claim so I wasn’t riding as much as I would have liked to and the rides I was having were hardly short priced favourites. I didn’t want to do the same again, so Craig agreed that I could go to America for six weeks.
“Kevin Darley, my jockey coach, managed to get me a position with Dan Blacker at Santa Anita. He gave me a great introduction to American racing and I loved it! I was quickly riding the best horses in important pieces of work and did get a ride before I came home.
“I’d been riding a horse called Victory Matters, he’d had a year and a half off and I was getting on well with him, so Dan put me up on him on the track. We were second by a whisker!”
William’s goal for 2025 is to improve on last year and get associated with some nice horses. 2024 saw him ride 22 winners from 235 rides – a strike rate of nearly 10%. He’s started 2025 with a roll, having three winners, from 11 rides.
We look forward to following William throughout 2025 and wish him all the best for the upcoming turf season.
Find out more about the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series, supported by White Rose Saddlery here.
A lovely Autumn raceday welcomed a good turnout of racegoers, who had arrived to witness the final day of the flat turf season, rounding events off with the feature race, the November Handicap. It was however an early start with an 11.45 off time for the first race and the ground was officially described as soft.
Nine runners went to post for the seven furlong race, with the Tim Easterby trained pair of Temper Trap and Quest For Fun coming into the race in good heart, the latter going off favourite.
Former course, distance and race winner Zip took an early lead in the hands of Warren Fentiman, son of popular Yorkshire jockey, Duran and was gently encourage by his fledgling jockey throughout the race to keep up to his work.
Stanage and Shay Farmer, Dashing Roger, ridden by William Stone and Conquest under Tom Kiely-Marshall headed the following pack.
With two furlongs to go, Zip extended his lead, but Quest for Fun and Temper Trap started to make their move and come out of the pack to give chase. Zip started to tire near the line and Temper Trap, ridden by Mikkel Mortensen was very fast finishing, but the winning line came just in time for Zip, giving Warren his second win from 11 rides.
Division two took place half an hour later, also with nine runners. Ey Up Its Jazz, a winner earlier in the week, ridden by Mikkel Mortensen made his customary early running, with It Just Takes Time and Olivia Tubb sitting behind in second and Mister Sox ridden by Archie Young racing alongside Beauty Choice and Lewis Chalkley in third and fourth.
After a couple of furlongs, It Just Takes Time edged into the lead, with No Nay Nicki making progress under Warren Fentiman.
With two furlongs to race, It Just Takes Time still just held onto the lead with Fahrenheit Seven and Tim Kiely-Marshall drawing upsides. The pair ran the last furlong and half together, with It Just Takes Time grinding it out to maintain the advantage at the line, with a fast finishing Capote’s Dream under Liam Wright, just getting the better of Fahrenheit Seven.
The overall winner of the series is William Pyle who amassed a huge 62 points. He wins sponsorship from Go Racing In Yorkshire and a saddle from White Rose Saddlery.
Both Sean Dylan Bowen, who was leading the charge and Joe Leavy, who went into the day three behind, were engaged at the North Yorkshire track and their first mounts of the day came in the second race.
Coincidentally, both riders had won and come second in the two divisions of the apprentice series on the opening day at Doncaster back in March, so, although they didn’t know it at the time, their championship battle started on the first day of the turf season.
Originally planned as a morning meeting, the cancellation of Newton Abbot earlier in the week meant that Catterick could move back to its traditional afternoon slot. The ground was soft, but the weather was beautiful. The sun shone all afternoon, with lots of warmth in it. The crowd, who were largely dressed for jump weather, were quickly discarding additional layers!
All 10 runners went to post for the 1m6f contest and it was Morandi Second, ridden by Joe Leavy who was just in front at the end of the first furlong. King Me and Poppy Scott were next to the rail with Two Auld Pals and Archie Young upsides. Whipping in at the back of the filed were Dark Jedi, ridding by Morgan Cole and Molten Sea under Sean Bowen. About eight lengths covered the field.
As they passed the winning post for the first time, there was a very even tempo and little change in the order. As they progressed around the far side, Bamboo Bay started to struggle and dropped back to the rear of the field, but at the other end of runners, Morandi Second got a length on the others and started an early run for home. Two auld Pals and Lord Torranaga tried to stay with him. From behind Molinari and Molten Sea started to make their move as the field rounded the final bend.
Morandi Second extended his lead by five lengths and as runners tracked across to the stands side, Joe Leavy really started to ride for home and had the race put to bed half a furlong from home.
Sean Bowen was second on Molten Sea, beaten six and half lengths and Molinari, ridden by Aiden Brookes was five lengths further back in third.
This win, took Joe Leavy into joint second place with Sean Bowen and Aiden Brookes, but a fifth place on Lord Torranaga for William Pyle earned him two points and leaves him well clear on 62 points to take the whole series, before the final is run Doncaster on Saturday 9th November.
18 runners went to post for the seven-furlong race, on an afternoon that had all the highlights of an Autumn day. There was warmth in the sun and the turning leaves left a golden hue on the Knavesmire, however heavy rain in the run up to the meeting had turned the going to soft.
Another Baar, ridden by Andrew Breslin and Danzan, partnered by Amie Waugh were sharing the lead after the first furlong. Challet and Rhys Elliott raced keenly in third, with Bajan Bandit under George Bass on their inside, one off the rail.
As the runners joined the round course at the five furlong marker, Another Baar extended his lead by a length with Danzan and Challet remaining in second and third, but with two and half furlongs to go Mysteryofthesands and Frank Larson started to make a move forwards, while Another Baar just started to drop back a bit.
Inside the final furlong, On The River, ridden by Aiden Brookes and trained by Harriet Bethell, made a run for home and comfortably overtook Danzan, going on to win by two lengths at the line. Danzan finished in second, where he had been throughout the race and Bajan Bandit came home in third.
The eighteen points took the winning jockey into second with 31 points, but he remains 29 points behind William Pyle, who had his first ride in the series since injuring his wrist in a fall at Beverley back in June. Sam Feilden finished sixth on Mostar Dreams and these vital two points took him into a clear third with 29 points.
The penultimate race in the series takes place at Catterick on Saturday 19th October and is the first race on their early morning card, due off at 11am.
11 runners went to post for the six-furlong race on good to firm ground. After breaking from the stalls, where Peachey Carnehan was rather slow away, the runners grouped in the middle of the track and Arlington, ridden by Charlie Maggs took the early lead from Calafrio and Brandon Wilkie. Dodgy Bob was pushed along strongly by Sam Garcia on the outside.
At the half-way stage, Arlington and Calafrio were still in the lead with Sassy Soprano moving up into third for Alex Fielding. The runners spread across the track and with a furlong to go, Brandon Wilkie took up the running on Calafrio and quickly went into a two-length lead on the favourite.
The striking grey filly went on to win by three and a half lengths from Arlington in second and Sassy Soprano finished in third.
The eighteen points take Brandon straight into joint second with Sean Dylan Bowen, however William Pyle remains in the clear lead on 60 points. William has missed the last two rounds with injury but will be back for the next race in the series which takes place at York on Friday 11th October.
Following unseasonal heavy rain earlier in the month, some bright, drying days produced good ground for the final race on the card, which was run over 1m6f, one of the longest races in the series.
Accordingly, the horses broke evenly and a steady pace was set with Gift of Raaj and Tom Kiely-Marshall leading the pack. He was joined by Sir Jock Bennet under Sam Feilden and King Of Unicorns ridden by Aiden Brookes sitting in behind. Gastronomy and Bulldog Spirit were at the back of the field and about four lengths covered the runners as they took the first bend.
There was no change in the order rounding the final bend, but the pace quickened slightly as they went into the last five furlongs.
Archie Young took Bulldog Spirit for a brave run up the rail and the gaps opened up for him, while Rhys Elliott took Gastronomy wide on the outside of the field up the home straight.
Gastronomy took a clear lead within the final half furlong to win by a length and three quarters from Bulldog Spirit and Mythical was a neck back in third under Jack Doughty.
The eighteen points took Rhys up to fourth place in the series, but even though he is out with injury, William Pyle remains in front with his score of 60 points.
The next race takes place at Thirsk on Friday 9th August.
The race was run over 1m2f on good ground and Life On The Rocks was sent off 2/1 favourite.
Archernar was a little slow out of the stalls, but initially there was no pace in the race, so Jack Enright quickly had him back in the field. Mohammed Tabti aboard Dogged (a former winner in this series) decided to make the running and kicked on into the lead. Busby was running keenly under Tommie Jakes and pulled his way into second, sandwiched between V Twelve and Aiden Brookes and Life On The Rocks, ridden by William Pyle.
There was little change in the order at half-way and with half a mile left to run, Dogged led the field into the home straight. Life On The Rocks eased his way into second and Laser Focus and Sean Dylan Bowen made a run to follow the leading pair.
Life On The Rocks took up the running with two furlongs to go and was driven out by William Pyle. Laser Focus chased him all the way to the line and was closing down but the leader had time his run well and held on to win comfortably, making this his third win in a row and a treble on the evening for trainer Richard Fahey, who had scored earlier on in the card.
This was William’s second win in the series and takes him miles clear with 42 points. Second place for Sean puts him into second overall with 28 points, just one ahead of Sam Feilden, who without a ride on the night remains in third place with 27 points.
The next round takes place at Beverley on Tuesday 25th June.
Nine horses went to post for the one mile race on ground which, after the winter of relentless rain, was officially described as heavy.
Tobetso made the early running under Zak Wheatley and tracked across to the running rail from his wide draw. Hostelry looked keen and Mia Nicholls tucked her in behind. Poet’s Dream and Archie Young were in third, with the Brandon Wilkie ridden Hortzadar on the outside of Ey Up Its The Boss and Jack Enright as they rounded the bend into the home turn.
At the half-way stage Hostelry and Tobetso were upsides in the lead, but the field were tightly grouped. A gap opened up on the rails for Poet’s Dream to make a move, closely followed by the Sam Fielden ridden Do I Dream.
A furlong and half out, the first six had less than a length between them and Ey Up Its The Boss came with a strong run to challenge Hostelry, just getting his head in front, before Do I Dream, the favourite, surged up the rail to win the race by a neck from Ey Up Its the Boss and Hostelry a length and a quarter back in third.
18 points for this win took Sam Fielden straight into third place on the leader board, behind Sean Dylan Bowen and Joe Leavy who are joint at the top on 19 points each.
The next round takes place at Pontefract on Wednesday, May 1.
Bustaam wins Division 1 of the William Hill NRMB On The Grand National Apprentice Handicap, round 1 of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series, supported by White Rose Saddlery.
Picture credit: Nigel Kirby Photography
Following a winter of incessant rain, the opening meeting was staged on ground that was described as soft, heavy in places and with a strong headwind, the conditions were testing.
12 runners went to post for Division one of the William Hill NRMB on The Grand National Apprentice Handicap. Quickly into stride, Natchez Trace raced keenly under Zak Wheatley at the head of affairs, with Distinction and Alec Voikhansky upsides.
The field raced predominantly in pairs with a length or so between them, for the first half of the race. Rounding the bend to come into the home straight runners got closer together, but Natchez Trace remained in front. As Distinction began to drop back with three and a half furlongs to go, Ethan Jones encouraged his mount, Moonlit Cloud take second spot and Vellner made progress up the inside.
Bustaam was asked for an effort by Joe Leavy, just before the two-furlong pole and quickly joined Moonlit Cloud in front. He took a clear lead inside the final furlong and went on to win, eased down, by three lengths.
The unexposed four-year-old has clearly enjoyed a break after five runs between September and November last year and it looks like there could be more to come for the Raymond Treacy owned and David O’Meara trained Bustaam.
There were 11 runners in division two, which started in a similar fashion to the previous race. Eleven Eleven was leading the field under Luke Catton and by the half-way point was three lengths clear, Val Bassett and Joe Leavy led the chasing pack, with Molly Valentine under Ethan Jones and Big Bear Hug for Alice Bond, close behind.
By the three-furlong marker, Eleven Eleven began to lose his place and Val Bassett and Big Bear Hug took each other on for the lead, but Sean D Bowen pushed on his mount Destinado, who responded to his urges and raced past Molly Valentine, joining Big Bear Hug at the two-furlong pole.
Big Bear Hug rallied and started to battle as Destinado edged left, but Destinado was able to keep on and win convincingly by three and a quarter lengths for trainer James Owen and his owners, Deva Racing Group.
After two rounds, the winning riders both managed a sixth place in the corresponding race, meaning that Joe Leavy and Sean D Bowen are tied at the top of the table on 19 points each.
The next race in the series takes place at Ripon on Thursday 18th April. Buy tickets here.
12 runners went to post for the seven-furlong contest and as the field bunched together after leaving the stalls, the grey, Magical Max took the early lead under Elle-May Croot, with Ayr Poet for Morgan Cole and Jim Goldie racing wider in second and the hard pulling Gobi Sunset, ridden by Archie Young nearly upsides.
By halfway, Magical Max had extended the lead to about three lengths as Oso Rapido under Joe Leavy and Gobi Sunset matched strides in behind.
As the field approached the final furlong, Magical Max’s lead had diminished but he was still in front as the rest of the runners stacked up behind. Alexander Fielding, riding Sir Maxi for Richard Fahey started to urge on his mount, who responded quickly and made a sharp run up the inside, passing Troon, ridden by Alex Jary and went on to win by three quarters of a length to Magical Max in second and Troon a further three quarters of a length back in third.
This was Alex’s first win in the series, supported by White Rose Saddlery, adding to the three points he scored at Pontefract, but by finishing second and earning herself a very valuable nine points, it is Elle-May Croot who has won the overall series.
Taking part in six of the nine races that were run, Elle-May had a win, three seconds and two sixth places, amassing a total of 47 points.
The final race of the day saw the penultimate running of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series and eight horses went to post for the 1m6f race.
Sugarpiehoneybunch was slowly away and dropped in, while Ae Fond Kiss ridden by Zak Wheatley and Ask Peter under Archie Young lead the field.
Ask Peter seemed to relish the conditions and remained at the head of affairs. With half a mile to go, Alex Jary asked for an effort from Ebony Maw and moved up into third place, rounding the final bend, with Can Can Girl and Jonny Peate following behind.
It was to no avail as Ask Peter only extended his lead and won by a very comfortable 22 lengths. With Can Can Girl rousted along to finish second.
This was a first win in the series for his pilot, Archie Young and the 18 points took him straight into joint 7th place.
Sam Feilden, who was not in this race, remains at the head of the table with 39 points and Elle-May Croot who managed to grab one point by finishing sixth, sits one point behind him. It is all to play for as the final race takes place at Doncaster on Saturday 11th November.
It was the biggest field of the series to date with 15 runners going to post and Chester Le Streak was sent off favourite at odds of 9/4 for the six furlong sprint.
During the first furlong, runners crossed to the stands side rail and Red Walls, ridden by Alex Jary, showed plenty of speed from his low draw to set the pace upsides Chester Le Streak, partnered by William Pyle.
Fighting Chance, sporting cheek pieces and ridden by Molly Gunn travelled smoothly up into third place, eventually taking the lead at the halfway point.
These three spread across the track, when inside the final furlong, the blinkered Flavius Titus made a near last to first run under Sam Feilden, coming through to take the lead and was pushed out to win easily by two and a quarter lengths.
Chester Le Streak and Red Walls finished in second and third, with Somewhere Secret partnered by Mia Nicholls running on into fourth.
Elle-May Croot picked up a spare ride on the Sam England trained Made of Lir, after her original mount was declared a non-runner and finishing in sixth place, this gave her the all important point she needed to put her into the outright lead in the series. She is currently on 37 points, Connor Planas has 36 points and Christian Howarth remains in third with 24 points. This win took Sam Feilden up to fourth on 21 points, so with three races remaining it is all to play for!
The next race takes place at York on Sunday 10th September, the same day as Malton Stables Open Day. Racing enthusiasts can book a combined Malton Open Day and York Racecourse early bird ticket for only £15 by visiting this website.
Eight were due to go to post for this renewal, however Funky Town Pinkie was withdrawn after getting loose before the start so a field of seven were loaded into the stalls for the two mile race.
The blinkered Toutatis was slow out of the gate for Molly Gunn but had plenty of time to close the gap.
Seven For A Pound under Christian Howarth made the early running, with Freewheelin ridden by William Pyle, Burnage Boy and Aiden Brookes and Team Endeavour with Sean Dylan Bowen racing as a line of three tucked in behind. We’ll Go Again and Tarbat Ness raced just ahead of Toutatis at the rear of the field.
As they came past the post for the first time there was little change in the order, Seven For A Pound enjoying himself out in front and the field staying in formation all the way around the back straight.
Burnage Boy moved forward to join Seven For A Pound as runners rounded the final bend and went on to take the lead with the field spreading out across the course. Toutatis made a run on the outside under a strong drive from Molly Gunn, along with Team Endeavour, the two battling out the finish from the half furlong pole.
It really was on the nod as they passed the post with Team Endeavour and Sean Dylan Bowen getting up by a nose from Toutatis. This was a first win in the series for Sean Dylan Bowen and the 18 points took him straight into fourth place.
The next race takes place at Beverley Racecourse on Tuesday 27th June.
12 runners went to post for the one mile event and Global Spirit under Jonny Peate took the early lead with Ugo Gregory ridden by Christian Howarth and Dogged partnered by Elle-May Croot, who took a keen hold, sat closely behind. The field was closely grouped bar Frog and Toad who had dwelt in the stalls and lost several lengths at the start.
There was little change in the order up front at the half way point, however Dogged began to move forward and joined Global Spirit at the head of affairs and just nudged into the lead.
By the two furlong marker, Dogged was still in front but Hortzadar ridden by Mark Winn made good headway from the middle of the pack to come within a neck of Dogged but Elle-May managed to galvanise a strong effort from Dogged to win by three quarters of a length.
This was Elle-May’s first win in the series, riding for Rebecca Menzies, however there is still some catching to do to get within reach of the leader, Connor Planas, after his double on the opening day at Doncaster.
The next race in the series takes place at Pontefract on Wednesday 3rd May.
The race was restricted to jockeys who have not ridden more than 20 winners and nine runners went to post.
Zip, trained in Malton by Richard Fahey and ridden by Alec Voikhansky, who is based in Wiltshire with Richard Hannon gave a copy book pillar to post performance.
With an even break from the stalls, Zip was quickly into stride and settled to take the early lead. It Just Takes Time, partnered by Alex Fielding was keen in the early stages and the Owen Lewis ridden Alablaq was close up in third.
By the half way point, Zip had extended his lead with Broken Spear and Billy Loughnane making progress through the field to get within a length of the pair.
Pushed out with hands and heels, Alec and Zip were fending off the other runners from the front and in the final two furlongs as the race developed in earnest, the pair couldn’t be caught. Broken Spear made a good effort in second but simply couldn’t get on terms with the winner.
This was Alec’s first ride in the series and he rode an extremely well judged race to ensure the pair were always in the right place and in front at the line.
The overall series has been won by Ryan Sexton who amassed an amazing 75 points, winning four races and scoring points in two others. We look forward to following Ryan throughout next season and the return of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series in 2023.
Thank you to White Rose Saddlery who continue to support this series and the young apprentices taking part.
From the outset, Bollin Neil was pushed along by Sean Kirrane to take the early lead, which was quickly disputed by Choirmaster, one of two runners from the Charlie & Mark Johnston yard. Ashington, ridden by Jonny Peate wearing the battenburg colours of URSA Major Racing was just at the rear, behind Real Terms, ridden by Christian Howarth for Grant Tuer and Flamborough, the other Johnston horse, partnered by Ryan Sexton.
They remained in this order until two furlongs out when Bollin Neil made a run for home, accompanied by Real Terms, closely followed by Flamborough who switched wide for a run.
These three kicked away from Choirmaster and Ashington and under strong drives it was neck and neck all the way to the line, with Flamborough just coming out on top for owners Kingsley Park 25, by a nose from Bollin Neil and Real Terms was a head further back in third.
This was Ryan Sexton’s second win in the race, having won the same race last year when partnering up with Phil Kirby. The win was Ryan’s fourth in the series this year and picking up points along the way, this victory means that he cannot now be caught and following the final race in the series at Doncaster he will be crowned the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Champion of 2022 with an amazing 75 points.
All fifteen runners went to post for a race run over the shortest trip of five furlongs. The three jockeys at the top of the table were all competing, as the riders look to close the gap on Ryan Sexton who has achieved a comfortable lead to date.
After a fairly even break, Sacred Jewel in the hands of Christian Howarth took an early lead with Catch Cunningham and last year’s series winner, Oisin McSweeney in second plus Mattice, Riversway and Sophie’s Star close behind.
Sacred Jewel was in a comfortable lead after the first furlong and attempted to make all. She was still go strongly with two furlongs to go as the remainder of the runners started to urge their mounts home. It was here that Oisin McSweeney dropped his stick and reverted to a strong hands and heel effort, now in fourth place.
Silky Wilkie came with a wet sail up the stands side rail, while Mattice and Fast Response were doing the same on the other side but it was a strong drive from Oisin McSweeney that got Catch Cunningham to the line first, a neck ahead of Sacred Jewel and First Response, ridden by Pierre-Louis Jamin a further half-length back in third.
Ryan Sexton retains his position at the top of the leader board with 57 points, but this win for Oisin puts him into a clear second with 42 points and these two look to have it between them as we head into the next round at Catterick on Saturday 15th October.
The sprint distance of 6 furlongs was the trip and after an even break the field raced up the centre of the track. Jakacan under Zak Wheatley with The Golden Cue partnered by Isobel Francis and Blades Equal, ridden by Christina Howarth were prominent and made the early running.
By the half-way point Jakacan and Blades Equal were joined by Mops Gem but Khulu ridden by Owen Lewis started to make headway up the stands side rail. With a furlong to go, Khulu had just edged ahead with Torious trying to go with him, however Khulu managed to hold on to win by a length for owner breeders David and Andrea Bartlett. Trained by David Thompson in Darlington, Khulu was winning for the first time this season on turf, having previously recorded two wins on the all-weather surface at Southwell.
This is the first time Owen has scored points in the competition and takes him straight into joint 7th place, although he didn’t have a ride in this race, long time leader Ryan Sexton will take some catching and is well in the lead with 54 points.
The next race takes place at York on Sunday 4th September.
Only four runners went to post for the contest which was for four-year-olds and upwards, run over about 1 mile and 6 furlongs. Isla Diamonds was awarded the best turned out prize before the runners went to post and Glory and Honour was sent off 10/11 favourite.
For most of the first mile the runners were in single file, lead by Eye Knee, Red Force One in second, Glory and Honour tucked in behind the grey and Isla Diamonds in rear.
Coming off the final bend Sean Kirrane, the rider of Eye Knee started to increase the pace and towed the field to the line. Glory and Honour was ridden along from three furlongs out and Red Force Once made an effort in between the pair.
Eye Knee was very game and ran on well to the line but was collared in the shadow of the post by a hard ridden Red Force One under Ryan Sexton, for trainer Phil Kirby and owners The Yorkshire Puddings.
Glory and Honour was five and a half lengths further back in third with Ilsa Diamonds coming home in fourth place.
This was Ryan’s third win in the series, taking his total up to a massive 54 points! The next race is at Thirsk on Friday 5th August, which is their Circus Family Fun Day.
The race over five furlongs was the first on the card, on a gloriously sunny afternoon and run on ground that was officially good to firm. It was open to jockeys who had not ridden more than 50 winners and all the participants were already on the scoreboard.
The Grey Lass under Andrew Breslin was quickly away and made much of the running on the Tim Easterby trained filly, with Golden Gal, ridden by the current winner of the series, Oisin McSweeney, keeping her company up the rail.
Sherdil remained in the middle of the pack and with a furlong to go was asked for a strong effort to race between the leading pair and got his head in front exactly on the line in a perfectly timed race.
Winning rider Ryan Sexton said after the race,
“The boss has been having a bit of a go at me for coming wide so when the gap appeared I took the opportunity and went straight for it.”
The Grey Lass was a neck back in second with Golden Gal a further half length back to finish third.
This was Ryan’s second win in the series and he now heads the table with 39 points, Oisin McSweeney is in second with 24 points and Jonny Peate lies third with 20 points.
Ryan also went on to win the last race on the card aboard Musical Romance for Tom Clover.
The next race in the series takes place at Redcar on Sunday 17th July, which is also part of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival week, sponsored by Sky Bet.
Eleven runners went to post for the two-mile contest, which took place on good ground, against the backdrop of Ladies Night, plus a charity fundraiser for breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!
Yasmin From York, ridden by Mark Winn was sent of the short priced favourite and following a very even break, it was Astroman and Christian Howarth who took the early lead. As the runners passed the winning post for the first time, about 12 lengths covered the field from start to finish.
Emanate, Cloudy Rose and Loving Pearl were all close behind the preliminary leader and with just over 6 furlongs to go Monticello started to make a move up the outside from last place under Andrew Breslin.
The runners spread across the track from the three-furlong pole and Yasmin From York burst through to take the lead but was quickly challenged by Infiniti, ridden by Middleham based apprentice Aiden Brookes and while Yasmin From York rallied, she couldn’t get on terms with Infiniti who won comfortably by a length and a quarter.
This was Infiniti’s first run on the flat since finishing seventh at this meeting last year, having been campaigned over hurdles since October 2021.
Winning jockey Aiden Brookes was having his first ride in the series, scoring 18 points and putting him straight into joint third position. Ryan Sexton remains at the head of the table with 21 points and Zak Wheatley close behind with 20 points.
The next race in the series takes place at Beverley on Tuesday 21st June.
King Of Tonga came out on top to maintain his unbeaten record at the track and provide Zak Wheatley with his 23rd winner, as well as a very smart Go Racing In Yorkshire gilet, which is given to all the winning riders of the White Rose Saddlery supported series.
Having already ridden winners priced at 33/1 and 40/1 this month, 23yr old Wheatley was yet again seen at his strongest to get the Declan Carroll trained 6yr old, who was reappearing after running with credit at Wetherby just 48 hours earlier, home to win by a neck.
Zak who can ride at just over 8 stone is fast approaching 300 rides on the track and is sure to be in demand in the coming months. The win moves him right up the table on 20 points just one behind current leader Ryan Sexton.
Round four takes place at Wetherby on 7th June.
Nine horses were declared to face the starter and there was no shortage of excitement as we were treated to an exciting battle between the two horses at the top of the handicap.
Sean Kirrane fresh from a successful winter riding in Dubai set the early fractions on Challet who certainly knows his way around this North Yorkshire venue. The pair looked a sitting target for the Ryan Sexton partnered Empirestateofmind as the blinkered favourite arrived upsides travelling ever so well, but the John Quinn trained 4yr old didn’t put the race to bed leaving the pair to duel out the finish.
Just three quarters of a length separated the duo at the line with Sexton coming out on top completing a double on the afternoon.
Having secured two points in the opening round at Doncaster, this win fired the Adrian Keatley based apprentice to an early lead in the series also moving him to 13 winners in total.
Pontefract plays host to round three later this month on Wednesday 27th April.
Progression is a brilliant thing for any apprentice jockey and for Cameron Noble it led to a first win in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars competition when the 2019 series got underway at Doncaster.
Third on his only ride in 2017 and second when he had just a solitary ride in the series last season, Noble marked the start of this year’s competition with a winner on the Ian Williams-trained Central City.
It was a cool ride from Noble, who was out the back for most of the way as former Future Stars series winner Gary Mahon set a blazing gallop on Staplegrove and as they reached the four furlong marker, Central City still had most of the field ahead of him.
Up front, Seamus Cronin had moved Apache Blaze in first-time cheek pieces to challenge for the lead, but no sooner had she gone on than Central City, who was not lacking for fitness after a couple of wins on the all-weather, began to pick up ground hand over fist and came to join her a furlong out.
The two drew clear in the closing stages with Central City a comfortable winner from Apache Blaze with the favourite Consultant and William Carver taking third place.
The big challenge for Noble now will be to improve still further on the previous two years by having more rides in the series. If he does, he is likely to be a big player for the prize worth £2,000 that is on offer.
TABLE AFTER ROUND ONE
| Cameron Noble | 18 |
| Seamus Cronin | 9 |
| William Carver | 6 |
| Daragh Keenan | 3 |
| Cieren Fallon | 2 |
| Ben Sanderson | 1 |