Appleby lauds Loughnane as he bangs in another treble

Charlie Appleby feels Billy Loughnane is achieving things only a select few have managed before him after the championship leader capped what he described as a “whirlwind week” with a treble at Newmarket.

The 20-year-old continued his phenomenal association with Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood but was back in the Godolphin blue at Headquarters on Saturday where he claimed the opening British Stallion Studs EBF Chalice Stakes aboard 5-4 favourite Romantic Symphony.

A key part of Appleby’s operation, he in fact rode his first Group One winner for the Moulton Paddocks handler when partnering Rebel’s Romance to success in Germany last year, and the trainer is in no doubt the weighing room’s brightest star is already operating at a level very few compare.

Appleby said: “I’ve got to be thankful to my kids really as they got me to put him up early doors as they liked his nickname ‘Billy the Kid’.

“What can you say about Billy though, to have achieved what he has done to date in his career and at his age, I don’t think we’ve seen that before in a jockey.

“The jockey, the sportsman and the professional I see on a regular basis, he’s only going to stay at the top of his game for a long time.

“The more better horses he rides, the better he is only going to get and it’s like a Formula One driver, the better the car you get in the more confidence you have and the better you get at knowing what horse you are riding – it’s pointless telling someone it’s a Group One horse if you haven’t ridden one.

“He’s getting on plenty of good ones now and when he comes to us now in a morning, like William, when they get off and say it is a good horse you know and have the confidence they know what they have as they have sat on plenty.”

Loughnane’s success aboard Bow Echo has been the highlight of a roller-coaster week for the leading rider which alongside Group One glory on the Sussex Downs has seen him plummeted to the turf at Goodwood the very next day when Savvy Disko clipped heels and also compete at the away meeting at Yarmouth on Tuesday.

He would double up aboard boss George Boughey’s Tryst (5-1) at Newmarket in the Racing TV Handicap before Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Hollywell Stream (7-2) made it a treble in the National Stud Fillies’ Handicap, pushing him further clear of Oisin Murphy in his quest to be crowned champion jockey for the first time.

Loughnane said: “It’s been a whirlwind week but a good week and I’ve been lucky enough to partner some fantastic horses.

“Every week is a good week when you are getting to ride Group One winners like Bow Echo.”

Loughnane’s victory aboard Romantic Symphony in the opener was his third-straight victory in the Listed event and provided Appleby with back-to-back triumphs after the win of Silent Love 12 months ago.

A sister to three-time Group One winner Wild Illusion as well as Breeders’ Cup Turf-winning Yibir, Appleby could now step the daughter of Dubawi up in distance, with a trip to Doncaster next month a possibility.

Appleby said: “She’s a nice filly and as Billy said, maybe we have been riding her a bit wrong. It was only last minute today we said we would hold her up and her brother Yibir used to love being held up.

“For a big, scopey filly like herself, they love quick ground as well and Billy thought he got there too soon if anything.

“She’s a Listed winner now and with her pedigree that is huge but I see no reason why she can’t stand up in both grade and in trip at some stage and something like the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster might suit her, albeit the ground might be a concern at that time of year.

“Today was important to get black type behind her and to be honest this was the plan, but we could easily get her out again before the autumn.”