Celebrating the future of Horseracing

On Friday 3 June, Goodwood Racecourse celebrated a hugely competitive six-race Apprentice card, the first in British Horseracing.

The concept, which created a unique opportunity for Apprentices, ran on a points-based system with a totaliser deciding who would be crowned Leading Apprentice Jockey of the fixture.

Cameron Noble started off on the right stride scoring 15 points with a win for Jeremy Scott with Pride of Nepal, a trainer best known for his successes under the national hunt code.

Less than half an hour later Noble followed up with a third in the one-mile William Hill Fillies’ Novice Stakes. However, this wasn’t enough to hold off the surging, Harry Davies who scored on the Andrew Balding trained, I’ll Be There before adding fortunate non runner points to a fourth placed finish aboard Flag High half way through the card.  

As Apprentice jockey to the Kingsclere maestro, Andrew Balding, Davies could follow in the footsteps of illustrious race riding ability. The likes of Jason Watson, Oisin Murphy and William Buick have all enjoyed support from the Park Hill Stables powerhouse en route to claiming the coveted Apprentice Champion Jockey crown, awarded at Ascot on British Champions Day.

The contest for this Leading Apprentice Jockey Award went down to the wire, going into the last race with one point separating Davies’ and the unassuming, but hugely talented Beniot de la Sayette. Throughout the evening de la Sayette has been racking up a string of second place finishes adding a sole winner to his tally with victory on Rozalia for trainer James Franshawe.

It was a fitting family affair, with Beniot’s father Geoffrey having worked as an assistant to the Newmarket handler over several years. Walking away with the fabulous trophy and an opportunity to take part in the Qatar Goodwood Festival track morning at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, this fixture sort to highlight emerging talent in the weighing room. It was without doubt a great success.

Edward Arkell, Clerk of the Course at Goodwood commented; “We were delighted to be able to offer six good quality races exclusively to Apprentices; there were certainly some stars of the future on show and we wish them all the success.”

Leading Apprentice Jockey Award Standings – 3 June 2022;

Benoit de la Sayette - 45 points
Harry Davies – 39 points
George Rook – 27 points