Ben Coen faces tough decision ahead of Irish Champions Weekend

Rising star Ben Coen admitted on Racing TV’s On The Wire Video Podcast that he faces one of the biggest decisions of his burgeoning career ahead of Irish Champions Weekend where he will have the choice of riding at Leopardstown on the first day, or heading to Britain to ride in the Cazoo St Leger.

Described as “the real deal” by Johnny Murtagh, Coen has enjoyed a breakthrough season this year after being appointed as Murtagh’s number one rider in January, with victory aboard Create Belief in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot being a highlight, as well as guiding Sonnyboyliston to a narrow victory in the Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday.

Coen was forced to miss the ride on Champers Elysees, who landed the Matron Stakes on the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend last year, after breaking his collarbone the month before, and is chasing his first Group One victory.

Ottoman Emperor, Coen’s intended mount in the Doncaster showpiece on September 11, is a best-priced 8-1 following his game success in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood in July, and the 19-year-old says he is “scratching his head” over which meeting to ride at.

“It’s not going to be an easy decision,” Coen said. “Ottoman Emperor is in good nick and I’m going to see what the weather does first, and see what the ground is like.

“Ottoman Emperor is in very good form and he came out of Goodwood like he didn’t even have a race. I’m scratching my head a bit over what to do, but I will wait and see what the ground is like at both places before deciding.”

Coen, who has ridden 27 winners this season, has a relaxed demeanour about him and a flat tyre ahead of speaking to the On The Wire team did not faze the young rider who comes across as cool, calm and collected, both in and out of the saddle.

Improving his skills is the aim for Coen, as well as seeking big-race winners, and riding against top jockeys is helping him to progress.

“Things are going well, and it has been a great year so far,” said Coen.

“My ambition is to keep improving and learning the whole time. I’m still chasing that big Group One winner. I’m chasing them, the big days, and the big winners. I just want to keep improving my riding, keep getting better and build my contacts up the whole time.

“It’s great to be walking out into the parade ring with the likes of Frankie Dettori, Oisin Murphy and William Buick. It’s brilliant to be riding against those jockeys and that’s what you need to improve and get to the next level by learning tips off them and watching how they do it. It’s a big confidence boost when you are riding winners against them.

"My weight is good and Johnny (Murtagh) is a big help as he doesn’t push me to do too light when I’m struggling. It’s starting to settle down now after the last two years.

“Johnny doesn’t complicate things for me. He lets me see what I think, and he thinks, and then makes a plan, and sticks to it. He doesn’t confuse things. It’s a big help, and you are riding with that bit more confidence knowing the trainer trusts you."

Reflecting on his success in the Ebor, Coen said it was an “unbelievable feeling” to win the £500,000 feature for Murtagh, but celebrations were kept to a minimum.

He said: “It was brilliant. I jumped off and I thought I was a bit too far back but then there was pace injected into the race, and I was delighted.

“Sonnyboyliston would not be the strongest of travellers. You’d be half-niggling him the whole way but when I really wanted him to pick up three out, he picked up really well and it was unbelievable to pass the line in front.

“I didn’t really celebrate. I went out for dinner with my mother and father and that was about it."

Coen, who thrived in pony racing before turning his attentions to race riding, turns 20 in September and is a nephew of trainer Andy Slattery.

He may not be the only rising star in his family, either, as his younger brother, Jake Coen, made the perfect start to his riding career when guiding 20-1 chance Dare To Flare to success on his first ride in an apprentice handicap at Naas on Sunday for his Uncle.

“It was a good weekend all round!” said Coen.

“It was great to see, and I got a good kick out of watching him. He didn’t get to ride in pony races much last year due to Covid and only got going at it this year and improved a lot. Hopefully he can keep the weight down and get going in the apprentice ranks.

“The plan is to see what his weight is like after a year on the flat, and probably just ride on the flat to tidy himself up and gain some experience. He loves the jumping, so he wouldn’t mind going down that route, and if he has to, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“I think she’s in good nick and she hasn’t got that blistering mile pace to run at this year yet. They’ve been going steady and then sprinting in her races and I think she would have finished fourth or fifth last time out had she not been knocked about. She needs to come with one run down the outside with plenty of space off a good gallop. I’m hoping I get that at the Curragh on Friday. She’s had a break and she looks, and feels, great at home. Hopefully we can get her back on winning terms. She has no penalty on Friday, so we’re hopeful of a nice run."

"Ladies Church is very good. I rode her work the other morning and she was flying. I think she’s a nice filly. Sam Maximus is probably the one to beat on paper and it looks a hot race, but I’m looking forward to getting my leg over her. I definitely prefer six furlongs for her as I was even surprised when she won her maiden that she had the speed for a sharp five furlongs. I’ve always said after riding her that she’d be better over six. I’m looking forward to her, and she’s in great nick."

"He’s off a long lay-off but he’s in good shape at home and has been working well. He’s got a lot of weight but it’s a nice race to start him back off in and he was competitive last year."