Top jockeys pay tribute to new champion Loughnane

Five-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy has led weighing-room tributes to new title holder Billy Loughnane, calling his successor's season “outstanding”.

Loughnane, 20, will receive the trophy at a ceremony on Qatar Racing British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, and Murphy says Loughnane is a worthy holder of a championship won down the years by all the greats.

“I've tried to keep him honest, but I think he's been pretty comfortable of late and in the end has held quite a good lead,” said Murphy. “He's got tremendous discipline and work ethic and his results have been outstanding.

“I get on very well with him and I'm delighted to see his success, he's just younger and better looking!”

James Doyle maintained Loughnane has been a “delight” to share the weighing room with this season.

“I think any young aspiring jockey should take note of what he has done,” said Wathnan Racing's number one. “He seems to ask all the right questions, he handles himself off the track very well.

“He is a gentleman to ride against, very tough but fair and he is doing great things. He will be a worthy champion who has been brilliant this year and a delight to share the weighing room with.”

Rossa Ryan, who will finish third in the championship race behind Loughnane and Murphy, insists it has been an impressive display.

“Credit where credit is due, Billy is very young and to win a championship in the manner he has is nothing but exceptional,” said the Arc-winning rider.

“He's very determined and I have to take my hat off to him. The key to winning a championship is riding winners when you might not be at your best. The days when you are not feeling it and you (still) get on the scoresheet is a big thing, he's been so consistent.

“Obviously Bow Echo was massive for him this year and will have given him so much confidence. To be fair to him the pressure was on, maybe not so much in the Guineas, but Ascot and Goodwood, in the Sussex, he showed he learned from his mistakes. He's willing to learn.”

While Classic hero Bow Echo provided three of the biggest highlights of Loughnane's inaugural championship-winning season, there have been other notable victories.

Loughnane won the July Cup and Flying Five, both Group Ones, on Donnacha O'Brien's Comanche Brave, as well as the Albany and Lowther Stakes on George Boughey's Libertango.

He has also landed the Champagne Stakes and the Bengough Stakes for Godolphin, aboard Desert Castle and Hidden Force respectively.

And his exploits have not escaped the attention of Aidan O'Brien.

“He's an incredible rider. I remember Joseph and Donnacha riding at that age and it's tough,” said the master of Ballydoyle.

“Billy is doing unbelievable and he's ridden a couple of Group One winners for Donnacha. We wish him the very best, he's a great rider and a great credit to himself and his mum and dad, everybody.

“We know how tough it is – it's probably one of the toughest jobs of all. He's doing a great job and we look forward to watching him.”