Champion Conditional Race Hits Top Gear

Features | 13^th November 2024

The race is on to follow some of the greatest jumps riders as Champion Conditional Jockey

Sir AP McCoy, Richard Johnson and Brian Hughes are all on the roll of honour, while more recently Harry Cobden, Bryony Frost and Jonjo O’Neill Jnr landed the prestigious title of Champion Conditional.

Here’s a look at this year’s contenders to be crowned top young jockey.

Freddie Gingell

If ever anyone was born to be a jockey it’s Freddie Gingell.

The 18-year-old is the grandson of Gold Cup-winning trainer Colin Tizzard, nephew of 1999 Champion Conditional Jockey Joe Tizzard and his late-mum Kim was a big part of the successful family racing stables.

Throw in the backing of his boss Paul Nicholls and the 3lbs-claiming rider has got an awful lot going for him.
He has impressed since riding his first winner as a 16-year-old schoolboy in a hunter chase for his grandad at Wincanton.

That was less than three years ago and he’s come an awful long way since then. Last January, he rode his first Grade 1 winner when Elixir De Nutz, trained by uncle Joe, landed the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham.

He’s made a rapid start to this season and, with the backing of two of jump racing’s most powerful stables, he looks the one to beat.

Jack Hogan

One of the most extraordinary rides helped Jack make a flying start to the season.

He somehow managed to cling on to Stormin’ Crossgales as his saddle started to slip approaching the final fence at Huntingdon with the new season just a few days old.

Not only was he able to stay aboard, he managed to push Tom George’s runner to a neck success.

It was one of four victories in May and a steady stream of winners – including another four in October – has kept him among the leaders in the title race.

The 25-year-old has plenty of experience. He rode winners for his cousin, Denis, in Ireland before switching to Micky Hammond’s Yorkshire base.

The 3lbs-claimer has had the significant backing of his boss, Fergal O’Brien, for the last few years and Gary Hanmer has also supplied plenty of ammunition.

His weight claim won’t last much longer but there’s no doubt he could be heading for the professional ranks as champion conditional.

Dylan Johnston

Enjoying the backing of one of jump racing’s top owners makes Dylan a live contender for the title.

Having ridden 19 winners last season when attached to Olly Murphy’s powerful yard, he was snapped to ride as retained jockey for Dai Walters in the early months of the season.

The 3lbs-claimer had a steady summer but his season really got going with an impressive seven winners in October.

Victory in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on Sam Thomas’ Lump Sum came at Ffos Las – the track created by Walters – and in the colours of his new boss.

The 23-year-old has loads of experience in his native Ireland and in the north of England when based with Rose Dobbin.

He will ride plenty of quality horses for Walters but the quantity is sure to follow with Neil Mulholland likely to be another big supporter.

Patrick Wadge

Defending champ Patrick will attempt to win back-to-back conditional jockeys’ titles.

His 37 winners last season was enough for the 22-year-old Scottish rider to join some of the greats of the sport on the prestigious roll of honour.

He has, predictably, started to hit top gear in recent weeks with his boss Lucinda Russell beginning to click into form but life is about to get tougher.

His decent start to November has seen him pass the 75-mark for his career meaning he is longer able to claim any conditional jockeys’ weight allowance.

He’s sure to continue to enjoy plenty of support from Russell but he might need to add more trainers to his list of supporters if he is to retain the trophy.

Beau Morgan

It would be a rather unique double if Beau were to land the title.

His older brother, Luca, was crowned champion conditional in the 2022/23 season when attached to Ben Pauling’s Cotswold stable.

Beau rode 17 winners last season when riding for the same trainer but he made the move to join Olly Murphy in the summer with the intention of writing his name on the roll of honour alongside his sibling.

Along with Warwickshire-based Murphy, the 5lbs-claimer can expect to count on the support of his former boss, as well as DJ Jeffreys.

The 19-year-old has made a slow start to his title challenge. He might have some ground to make up on the pacesetters but it’s unlikely to be long before he is charging up the table.