Four rising stars set for Conditional Jockey title battle

The fight to be named Champion Conditional Jockey is barrelling toward its climax as we enter the last few months of the season. The best young riders in British Jump racing are currently vying for the right to lay claim to the title of number one, with the winner set to be crowned at Sandown’s bet365 Jump Finale on 23rd April.

Currently leading the pack is 21-year-old Kevin Brogan. The Irishman has already smashed last season’s record with 32 winners in only his second season since moving over to Britain to join Cotswolds-based trainer Jonjo O’Neill. His championship campaign has been boosted by an impressive spree of wins in December, including a double at Chepstow and then another three victories aboard the Ronan McNally-trained Vee Dancer in the space of nine days.

Speaking on the prospect of lifting the title, Brogan said, “Obviously, it would mean a lot [to win the Championship]. When you first start riding and you get your first wins all you can think about is being in the position I am in now, all your ambition is to compete at top level. With all the hard work I’ve put in so far, I would be over the moon.

“Big names, riding big winners on the weekend, they are the people you want to emulate but the main people I look up to are Jack Kennedy and Davy Russell back in Ireland.”

Close on his tail is Liam Harrison. The 19-year-old has developed into one of the most impressive young jockeys over the last couple of seasons. Harrison is shining out in the fab four with a stellar strike rate of 24%, which is an enviable stat amongst all jump jockeys, putting him up there with the best. In hot pursuit of the leader with 29 winners, Harrison has already more than double last season’s tally of 14 in his second season as a conditional jockey.

With a career that has already seen enough bad luck to last a lifetime, Warwickshire-based Fergus Gregory is in his last attack at the conditional jockeys’ title. It’s been more than five years since the 22-year-old rode his first winner but due to multiple injuries, he is only now finally getting an opportunity to make a strong challenge for the title. He is showing his full capabilities, already passing his previous season’s best total with 21 winners and last month he notched up his 75th career winner to ride out his conditional jockey’s claim, all he needs is a good run of form to give him a great chance of landing the crown.

On the comeback trail is 23-year-old Mitch Bastyan. Returning from a break, Bastyan is back riding better than ever and with the grit and determination you could expect from the son of a Royal Marine. With 20 winners, he has impressed when twice winning on Triumph Hurdle hope Knight Salute, and his successful partnership with-trainer Milton Harris is leaving little to doubt Bastyan is fulfilling his potential to be a top-level jockey.

On the subject of his rivals, Championship leader Brogan added: “I used to look over my shoulder a lot, so I’ve tried to practice not doing that. I know that’s easy to say when I am a few ahead but when you’re always looking back and worrying who’s behind you, that’s when you start making mistakes and not riding your best. I’ve been lucky to be in the position I’m in, I’ve worked with some great trainers and amazing horses. The lads are not going to lay down easy but what will be will be. It’s going to be a long three months!”

All of these ‘fab four’ are on the path of having their best seasons yet, and all have made an incredible charge for the title that looks set to keep racing fans on the edge of their seats for the rest of the season. With previous winners including Sir AP McCoy, Richard Johnson and Paddy Brennan, the future of jump racing is in exciting and capable hands.