champion apprentice

James Ryan was confirmed as Ireland's champion apprentice on Sunday after his two closest pursuers in the title race, Adam Caffrey and Wayne Hassett, both drew a blank on the final day of the Flat season at the Curragh. Ryan topped the table with 33 winners when the action got underway on Sunday, two ahead of Caffrey and Hassett on 31 winners apiece. Hassett was involved in six of the eight races on the card and Caffrey had five opportunities to add to his tally, but neither rider was able...

The title of champion apprentice is still up for grabs ahead of the final day of the Irish Flat season at the Curragh on Sunday, with Wayne Hassett and James Ryan currently sharing the lead on 31 winners apiece, just two ahead of last year's championship runner-up, Adam Caffrey, in third. All three jockeys will be heading to Dundalk on Wednesday where Ryan and Caffrey have a full book of rides, while Hassett will be in action in six of the seven races on the card. After that Dundalk hosts...

If you are a regular viewer of British racing then the chances are you will have seen plenty of interviews last season with jockey Marco Ghiani. He's the one who is always smiling, with the kind of impish face, dimples and all, that could soften even the sternest of stewards. In 2021, he had much to smile about.  With 101 winners under his belt, more than four times as many as his previous seasonal best, Ghiani was crowned champion apprentice at Ascot, receiving his trophy from Lester Piggott on QIPCO...