LEGENDARY jockey Ryan Moore’s son has joined him in the riding ranks – after signing for his dad’s biggest rival.
Dad-of-four Moore rode work alongside eldest son Toby on the famous Newmarket Rowley Mile last Friday, according to the Racing Post.
Toby, who is expected to take his first professional rides as an apprentice later this season, finished upsides his iconic dad on three-year-old gelding Olympus Point, a horse trained by Charlie Appleby.
Southampton boy Appleby is No1 trainer for Godolphin, the racing empire controlled by Sheikh Mohammed, the billionaire ruler of Dubai.
They are the biggest rival to Coolmore, the outfit who have all their horses with Aidan O’Brien, for whom Moore is No1 rider.
Young Moore, 16, who posed alongside his dad after he won last year’s Derby on City Of Troy, has risen through the ranks of the pony racing circuit.
He has previously competed in the Shetland Pony Grand National and won showjumping titles.
But it is on the back of a ferocious thoroughbred hurdling down the track at speeds of over 40mph that his future lies.
And he could do a heck of a lot worse than learning from his old man.
Moore is widely said to be the best jockey on the planet and just a fortnight ago had punters in awe with .
A globe-trotting superstar who’s won everything there is to win, Moore is the perfect role model, professional and person to ask for advice.
Together, he and O’Brien have mopped up the Classic trials this season.
But it’s arch rival Appleby who’s won the first two of the big five.
He claimed the 2000 and 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with Ruling Court and Desert Flower respectively.
The latter is strong 5-2 favourite for next month’s Epsom Oaks, while Appleby confirmed Ruling Court will head for the Derby, where he is a general 7-2 chance.
And, speaking of Toby’s promise as a jockey and future plans, Appleby said: “Toby has joined us this season and he’s just getting some more experience of riding thoroughbreds.
“He’s not ready for his first ride just yet, but riding work on the Rowley Mile will help him get a feel of what it’s like and hopefully bring him on.”;;
Eager trainers could look to make use of young Moore’s claim as an apprentice.
And while it’s unlikely he’d be taking his dad on any time soon, it’s far from unusual from fathers and their boys to compete in the same races.
Earlier this month at Chester, Warren Fentiman got the better of old man Duran in a 5f clash at their May Festival.
Warren, a 5lb claimer, finished second on Rosenpur, scooping over £10,000 for connections.
While veteran dad Duran finished just over a length behind in fourth, netting just shy of £3,000.
David and John Egan have ridden against each other, while Saffie Osborne excels in the saddle for trainer dad Jamie.
And it extends to the jumps too.
A on 33-1 Nick Rockett last month was his best day ever on the racecourse.
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