The standout jockeys from the 2024 flat season
The curtain fell on the flat racing season at Ascot’s British Champions Day each October, with the event also marking the crowning of the Champion Jockey.
This year, the title switched hands back to Oisin Murphy for the first time since 2021. Godolphin’s William Buick had won it twice in succession, but his Irish rival ran away with the prize this season.
In the end, it was something of a non-contest for Murphy—winning his fourth Champion Jockey trophy by a considerable distance from his nearest rival.
Nonetheless, it was still a fantastic year for a number of jockeys on a personal level. So, without further ado, let’s take a look a five who have stood out the most.
Oisin Murphy
Kicking things off with the recrowned Champion Jockey, Oisin Murphy has had a year to remember after going through some dark times in recent campaigns.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed a stellar campaign passing the 150-win mark from a gigantic 736 rides, which is an impressive strike rate of 22%.
Murphy, who regularly mounts favourites in the UK horse racing betting scene, has also racked up an array of Group successes—including two at the highest level at Royal Ascot in June.
Rossa Ryan
The most exciting young jockey in the sport, Rossa Ryan, has had yet another career-best year as he continues to go strength-to-strength alongside trainer Ralph Beckett.
Ryan, who won the All-Weather Champion Jockey title earlier this year, broke the 100 barrier for the first time and finished second to his fellow Irishman Murphy.
The 24-year-old won his fair share of Listed and Group races this season, but it’s his relationship with Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking that has taken him to the next level of elite riders.
Tom Marquand
It’s fair to say that Tom Marquand likes to keep himself busy, as he jets off to Asia and Australia to ride during the British off-season.
And he’s definitely been well-occupied this year, with 104 wins from 662 rides in the race for Champion Jockey—which had eluded him thus far in his career.
Marquand, who is married to fellow top jockey Hollie Doyle, has a fantastic relationship with William Haggas, and the major has enjoyed various major successes this year—most notably with Economics.
Billy Loughnane
Billy Loughnane was a breath of fresh air when he raced to the Champion Apprentice Jockey title last season, and he’s carried on his upward trajectory amongst the big guns this campaign.
Loughnane, who’s just 18 years of age, racked up over 90 wins for the season—which is good for fourth ahead of dual champion Buick.
While he’s still on the hunt for his first British Group 1 success, Loughnane has revelled in multiple Group victories this season—including in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
William Buick
While Buick hasn’t hit the heights he has in the last few seasons, it would be harsh to say that he still hasn’t had a decent campaign.
It’s also worth noting that he hasn’t had anywhere near as many rides as his rivals, with less than 400 mounts, yet has still ridden 81 winners.
Buick won the 2000 Guineas for the first time with Notable Speech, a third Dewhurst and Middle Park Stakes with Shadow Of Light, and the July Cup, to name just some of his big-race wins.
Danny Tudhope, Callum Rodriguez and Hollie Doyle are some of the other names you may have seen often enough in the racing results this season.
