It’s a bumper addition of the Jockey of the Month competition with records being broken, big race triumphs, and double and trebles galore.
The leading rider in the Jump Jockeys’ Championship Brian Hughes continued to be incredibly consistent as he landed 17 winners to stretch his lead at the top as he goes about defending his Champion jockey crown.
Harry Skelton had one of the best months of his career with five Graded race victories and three at the highest level. Harry raced up the Jump Jockeys’ Championship table in December and now sits in third place with a 21% Strike Rate.
Bryony Frost broke multiple records on Boxing Day by winning the hugely prestigious King George. Ruby Walsh commented on the ride, “winning the King George is about tactics and Bryony got it spot on!”
Find out more about each jockeys’ month below.
Here’s your chance to crown December’s jockey of the month, voting closes at 4:00pm Thursday 7th January.
The contenders
Bryony Frost
Bryony Frost entered the history books once again, becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, storming to victory with Frodon in a scintillating performance at Kempton Park.
The win also gave Frost her 175th career win, making her the winning-most female National Hunt jockey of all-time, and provided trainer Paul Nicholls with his 12th King George success.
Earlier in the month, Frost also claimed the Close Brothers Mares’ Handicap Hurdle with The White Mouse for trainer Lucy Wadham at Cheltenham on day two of their International Meeting on Saturday 12th December.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a total of six victories in December, also securing success at Market Rasen, Exeter, Fakenham and Huntingdon.
Harry Skelton
Harry Skelton claimed 17 victories during December, taking his seasonal tally to 70 wins and third in the 2020/21 Jump Jockeys’ Championship.
Amongst those 17 successes, Skelton secured a fantastic five Graded wins, beginning with an impressive Grade 1 double on Saturday 5th December at Sandown Park. Firstly, claiming the Planteur At Chapel Stud Henry VIII Novices’ Chase aboard Allmankind and then storming to victory in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase with Politologue.
The 31-year-old also went on to win the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle with My Drogo at Ascot on Friday 18th December.
On Boxing Day at Kempton, Skelton continued his magnificent month by claiming victory in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase aboard Shan Blue and then won the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase with Nube Negra at the same track the following day.
The victory with Nube Negra formed part of an amazing treble on the day for Skelton, who also claimed a double at Kempton Park the day before.
Skelton also secured wins at Southwell, Wincanton, Uttoxeter, Warwick, Bangor On Dee, Catterick and Market Rasen during December.
Brian Hughes
Reigning Champion Jump Jockey, Brian Hughes claimed 17 wins during December, taking his total for the campaign to 88 and therefore top of the 2020/21 Jump Jockeys’ Championship as he aims to retain his title.
The most notable victory amongst those 17 was his impressive win with Lake View Lad in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree on Saturday 5th December.
Lake View Lad get's the better of a very competitive field in the hands of Champion jockey Brian Hughes 👏
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) December 5, 2020
A memorable victory in the colours of the great champion Many Clouds in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase ☁️☁️pic.twitter.com/o0kHI1OwQO
The 35-year-old then secured a double at Musselburgh two days later (Monday 7th December), which was one of four doubles for Hughes in December which also came at Newcastle, Ayr and Haydock Park.
Hughes then returned to Musselburgh on Monday 21st December, this time enjoying a treble at the track following wins aboard Moon King, Eagle Ridge and Sauce of Life.
Don’t forget to vote for December’s jockey of the month in the poll above!
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