Lee hopeful of another big season in the saddle

Bill Lee enjoyed by far his best season in 2022 when pushing Colin Keane right to the final week in the Flat jockeys’ championship and he’s looking forward to another big year as the turf season gets underway at the Curragh and Naas this weekend.

The Limerick native partnered 89 winners last term, just three behind Keane, and would be delighted to enjoy similar success this term.

“Last year was by far my best season and if you gave me that again I would take it with open arms. I’ll try and build on it and keep the yards that I ride for happy which is most important,” he told broadcaster Dave Keena.

Lee has built up a strong association with Curragh trainers Ken Condon and Willie McCreery but it was his link up with Paddy Twomey that proved particularly fruitful last year with Group 1 wins for La Petite Coco and Pearls Galore.

“We had a great year last year and hopefully we have more fire power for this year. Paddy seems to have a nice bunch of horses and hopefully we’ll find another La Petite Coco or Pearls Galore,” said Lee.

“They are going lovely at the moment and when we put the squeeze on them in the next couple of weeks hopefully we’ll find they are good ones.

“Paddy has got great support from owners and attracted new owners after having such a great year last year. It was great that he was able to go to the sales and get the horses he wanted.

“If you win in the sales ring you can win on the track and hopefully that carries through this year.

“Paddy puts a lot of thought into where the horses run and where he thinks they can keep stepping forward. He’s not just thinking about the first run but the second, third and fourth run.”

Lee has already ridden eight winners on the all-weather at Dundalk this year and is looking forward to the upcoming turf season adding, “The programme is very active for the start of the Flat season which is great. In previous years it was always a bit stop start until after Punchestown. Tracks now are better maintained, are a lot drier and they can take racing.”