Category: Apprentice Series
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 |