Andy Newton

Maiden title for Billy Loughnane as champions crowned at Ascot

by
Andy Newton
19 October 2026

Billy Loughnane, Jack Callan and Godolphin were crowned champions at Ascot today as the British Flat season reached its conclusion with Qatar Racing British Champions Day.

At just 20 years old, Loughnane secured his first Champion Jockey title, becoming the youngest winner since 19-year-old Charlie Elliott shared the honour with Steve Donoghue in 1923.

He finished the championship with 159 winners, more than 20 clear of runner-up Oisin Murphy.

Now, his attention turns to Sir Gordon Richards’ record of 269 winners in a calendar year.

The Irishman has enjoyed a remarkable rise since recording his first victory at Wolverhampton in November 2022.

He followed that with the Champion Apprentice title the following year before landing his first Classic success aboard Bow Echo in this year’s G1 2000 Guineas.

Loughnane said: “It has been an extraordinary couple of years, really. I have been lucky to team up with a lot of trainers who have propelled me forward. Around this time four years ago when I was headed up to Newcastle for my first ride, the aim was just to have a few winners. What it has turned into is amazing. I am very lucky.

“To find a horse like Bow Echo was a dream come true. Unbeaten in six starts, including the Guineas, Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes. I am gutted that we won’t see him on the track again but very lucky to have partnered him. The Guineas was my highlight of the year – it was the best buzz I have had on a racehorse.”

Asked about Richards’ record, Loughnane added: “It is in my sights, although I am not full blasting at the moment. I am going to take the rest of this month and November. I will keep doing what I am doing, riding every day, and then heading into December I will assess whether it is possible.”

WATCH: Billy Loughnane and Bow Echo Winning The Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood

Jack Callan Takes Champion Apprentice Title

Callan claims Champion Apprentice honours after an equally impressive rise, following in the footsteps of his father, Neil, who won the title in 1999.

The younger Callan only began race riding in March last year.

Despite successfully balancing his riding commitments with A-level studies in Biology, Economics and Maths, he finished fourth in the apprentice standings.

Building on that experience, the 19-year-old made a flying start to this season’s championship and rode out his claim at the end of July.

He finished the campaign with 54 winners.

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Double For Boughey Stable

Callan and Loughnane also completed a notable double for trainer George Boughey, with both jockeys attached to his Newmarket yard.

Callan said: “It has been a fantastic season. I have been very lucky to be supported by some great people. I think I saw a stat that said I have ridden for over 100 trainers this year, so hopefully it continues.

“I started riding out for George [Boughey] the year that Cachet won the Guineas. For him to do that so early was phenomenal and, since then, he has gone to new heights. The quality of horse has kept improving and, given what Bow Echo has done this year, it just goes to show what a good trainer he is.

“I have always had the mindset of wanting to be the best, no matter what I do, although I did not put much pressure on myself to become Champion Apprentice this year. I wanted to beat my annual total of 50 winners from 2025, including 27 during the [championship] season.

“I rode double digit winners in each of the first three months of the season and, although I was silly enough to get a suspension that broke some of the momentum, it was great to get things rolling again after riding out my claim at the end of July.

“I love this job and to even call it a job is a bit ridiculous to me. It is something I have always wanted to do from a very early age. There are obviously days where it is difficult and things are not quite going right but, overall, I am delighted with how things have gone.

“I want to keep taking my riding to new heights, which hopefully leads to bigger numbers and better horses. I have built some great connections and will be staying here over the winter to build on that. Hopefully, I can be champion jockey one day – that would be the dream.”

Godolphin Champion Owners

Godolphin has claimed the Champion Owner award for the 18th time following another outstanding season, with the Dubai-based operation accumulating more than £6.5 million in prize money.

Ombudsman has been at the forefront of that success, winning both the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes and the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot.

Notable Speech and Talk Of New York have also delivered top-level victories.

Unbeaten G1 Fillies’ Mile winner Musical Times leads a promising crop of juveniles, while Desert Castle and Rock Montreal have also caught the eye with their recent performances.

WATCH: Godolphin’s Ombudsman Winning The Champion Stakes at Ascot in Style

Hugh Anderson, Managing Director at Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said: “The entire team at Godolphin is delighted to win the UK Owners’ Championship, this year for the 18th time.

“The season began with some superb performances from our older horses, with now seven-time G1 winner Notable Speech dominating in the Lockinge, before Ombudsman became the first back-to-back winner of the G1 Prince Of Wales’s at Royal Ascot for 30 years.

“It was particularly special to witness our great flagbearer Rebel’s Romance sign off his racing career with victory during the July Festival.

“As the season has progressed, the two-year-olds have really come to the fore and we head into the winter full of optimism for next year’s Classics.

“Racing is, as always, a team sport so huge thanks must go to our trainers, jockeys and everyone on the racing yards, and also to those on the studs and everyone else who is working hard behind the scenes to keep the show on the road.

“A special thank you must of course go to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, whose unwavering support of and passion for our industry is an inspiration to us all.”