Flat racing’s youngest champion jockey in more than a century on his relentless – and rapid – road to the top
Billy Loughnane’s mum wanted him to be a vet. “You’d have to ask her why,” he says with a smile that is rarely more than a second or two away. “I’d say money and an easier lifestyle, but I always wanted to be a jockey and made it very clear that was what I wanted to be doing. My parents and family have all been very supportive since.”
It seems fair to say that Loughnane’s career choice was the right one. At Ascot on Saturday, the 20-year-old will be officially installed as Flat racing’s new champion jockey and the youngest in more than a century. Pat Eddery was 22 when he won his first title, Frankie Dettori was 23, while Lester Piggott – who famously rode his first winner at the age of 12 – was twice that age when he landed his first championship.