Royal Ascot 2024 once again showcased the pinnacle of horse racing talent, with jockeys delivering spellbinding performances that have thrilled spectators and punters alike. In an era where online horse racing betting continues to grow in popularity, the skill and strategy of jockeys play an increasingly crucial role in the outcomes of races, and the fortunes of those wagering on them.
This article delves into the standout jockeys from this year’s Royal Ascot, highlighting their exceptional achievements and the key races they dominated. From seasoned champions to rising stars, these jockeys have left a lasting mark on the event, captivating the attention of racing fans and bettors worldwide.
Ryan Moore
It will come as no surprise that Ryan Moore once again tops the jockey standings following a Royal meeting. After all, the Brighton-born rider has an incredible number of victories at the prestigious festival.
Moore extended his ever-growing list of winners at Royal Ascot to 85 this year with six victories across the five days, which was more than enough to see him take home the top jockey accolade for the 11th time in his career and overtake the legendary Frankie Dettori’s record as the most successful current rider.
The 40-year-old’s standout victories were aboard Kyprios in the illustrious Gold Cup and Auguste Rodin in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, but he also scored in Group contests aboard Fairy Godmother, Port Fairy and Illinois.
Oisin Murphy
Another of the world’s top jockeys, Oisin Murphy is also no stranger to the exclusive winner’s enclosure at Ascot Racecourse. This Irishman has been crowned British Champion Jockey on three occasions, and his red-hot form this season has seen him close in on a fourth title with almost 100 victories in the race.
Murphy picked up four victories at this year’s Royal Ascot, most notably with Aafoora and Khaadem in the King Charles III Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes — while Running Lion won the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes and Wild Tiger scored in the Royal Hunt Cup.
James Doyle
James Doyle left Godolphin as their second-choice rider behind reigning Champion Jockey William Buick at the end of last season to join the rapidly growing Wathnan Racing, and he hasn’t looked back. The powerful Qatar operation has loosened its purse strings and is always expanding its impressive fleet of horses, including a spending spree just days before Royal Ascot that saw them swoop up some of the top contenders across the week.
Doyle ensured that they made a return on their investment almost instantaneously, with Group wins atop Leovanni, Shareholder and Haatem in the Queen Mary, Norfolk, and Jersey Stakes, respectively. He won the Buckingham Palace Stakes with English Oak, and placed on a further four horses in a largely successful week for Wathnan.
Rising Stars
Exciting prodigy Billy Loughnane, who romped his way to the Champion Apprentice Jockey last season, picked up his first and second Royal Ascot winners, while Tom Marquand also extended his Royal Ascot record with two victories — including Porta Fortuna in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes.
Congratulations to 18-year-old rising star jockey Billy Loughnane, who has landed his second ever #RoyalAscot winner on SOPRANO in The Sandringham Stakes. Hats off to trainer George Boughey, and to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. pic.twitter.com/pl5swy8nB2
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 21, 2024