Apprentice jockeys to note – Ireland

By James Condron

Alan Potts in his book “The Inside Track” stated that “the only way that a sharp punter can obtain an edge from the jockey booking, is to look for the next champion while he is still claiming an allowance”. His reasoning was that as the top jockeys get the best rides and ride more winners, their following amongst punters increases leading to their mounts inevitably starting at a shorter price than they should. The use of good apprentice and conditional jockeys on the flat and national hunt and the allowances that these jockeys can claim, can offer punters an edge with their mounts very often starting at value prices. This week I will focus on three apprentice jockeys in Ireland, who have caught my eye as having the potential to make top jockeys, and who may prove profitable for punters to follow for the rest of the flat season; Sam James, Leigh Roche and Joseph O’Brien.

Sam James

A total of five wins from 33 rides in August giving a level stakes profit of 28.5 points, highlights Sam as a jockey to follow, primarily in handicaps which have provided Sam with all his career victories to date. Sam experienced the biggest victory of his fledgling career at Killarney recently winning the www.thetote.com Kingdom Gold Cup Handicap aboard Top Spin for trainer John Joseph Murphy for whom he has ridden three winners from five mounts, delivering a level stakes profit of 35 points. If the evidence of recent weeks is to be believed, Sam is improving greatly as a rider under the tutelage of trainer Kevin Prendergast at Friarstown, Co. Kildare where jockeys of the calibre of Kieren Fallon, Charlie Swan and current stable jockey Declan McDonogh have all learned their trade. Kevin Prendergast also provides an environment where apprentice jockeys can prosper, an example of which is Chris Hayes who landed two consecutive apprentice titles in recent seasons. Whether Sam can achieve those heights is uncertain however, with 13 career wins to his name so far, his claim remains a generous looking 7lb and surely exploitable by trainers in the latter months of this season.

Joseph O’Brien

Joseph who currently claims 5lb, had a terrific Galway with three winners, the most notable of which was the Guinness Premier Handicap on Rajik for Charlie Swan, really seems to have grown in confidence of late, the result no doubt of having the privilege of regularly riding some of his father Aidan’s string on the Ballydoyle gallops and from the experience of riding in numerous Group races at home and abroad. O’Brien’s potential is not lost on other trainers who are beginning to use his services also, it is noted in this regard that he has a good record when riding for Pat Flynn, with three wins from 12 rides, giving a level stakes profit of 4.25 points, while other profits were noted when Joseph rode for Eoin Doyle (two wins from six rides giving a level stakes profit of 25 points) and James McAuley (two wins from 14 rides giving a level stakes profit of eight points). Interestingly, following Joseph in races only open to apprentices in Ireland over the last two seasons, would have resulted in a level stakes profit of 10.75 points due to a 12% win strike rate in such races.

Leigh Roche

Like Joseph O’Brien, Leigh rode a winner of a big handicap at Galway, in his case, the Topaz handicap over 2m, on top weight Easy Mate for his boss Dermot Weld, who remarked that Leigh has great value on the night for his 7lb claim. Within a week, Leigh had followed up this success, with victory on the stables well backed Rock Critic at Naas. While he has ridden winners for outside trainers such as Norman Cassidy, Christy Roche and John Joseph Murphy, Leigh has proved to be very profitable to follow when riding for Marcus Callaghan, (who through the efforts of stable stalwart Patrickswell), has provided all three wins from 18 rides, giving a 17 point level stakes profit and Joanna Morgan for whom Leigh has ridden two winners from four rides, a 24 point level stakes profit. With five winners under his belt in August, his valuable 7lb claim is sure to be exploited by Dermot Weld and other trainers in handicaps this autumn.

Note for remainder of season:

Sam James

All handicaps

Riding for John Joseph Murphy

Joseph O’Brien

All handicaps

Riding for Pat Flynn, Eoin Doyle and James McAuley

Races only open to apprentices

Leigh Roche

All handicaps

Riding for Marcus Callaghan and Joanna Morgan

By James Condron