HAPPY New Year everyone.
But will the dreams of young star Flat jockey Billy Loughnane come true in 2026?
Billy Loughnane, the record-breaking young jockey, will take it to Oisin Murphy on the Flat in 2026 – and it looks like being a belter!Credit: Getty
Current British champion Oisin Murphy says young pretender Loughnane “will be too strong” in this year’s title race. But I’m not having any of it.
While plodding up the motorway for two rides at Southwell this week, Murphy, who had Listed success on Nebras at Lingfield on Wednesday, told me: “In the Flat Jockeys’ Championship I think Billy will be too strong and he will be very hard to beat.
“He’s very good, very hungry and I will have a lot of trips abroad this year. I think I went to France 40 times alone in 2025.”
Yes you will, Oisin.
But you said the same this time last year and turned the 2025 Jockeys’ Championship into a one-rider race, ending up with a tally of 143, with Loughnane way behind on 108 and Rossa Ryan on 96. Cieren Fallon banged in 91 and Tom Marquand 89.
Record-breaker Loughnane went into the history books on Wednesday when becoming the first Flat rider to bang in 222 winners in a year.
In doing so, the teenager surpassed the score of multiple champion Kieren Fallon on 221 and Murphy, who has tallies of 220 and 217 in 2019 and 2024 respectively.
Loughnane, better known to many as ‘Billy the Kid’, has made no bones of the fact he wants to be champion jockey this year.
And there’s no doubt he’s an exceptional talent and a fine bloke. Everyone loves Billy Loughnane.
But the fact Murphy is already suggesting the game is up should be a warning sign that he’s up for the fight. Reverse psychology.
Anyone who knows Murphy just a little bit understands that when he’s publicly pessimistic, he’s at his most dangerous.
There’s a reason why his top selling book is called ‘Sacrifice’!
Murphy proved time and time again in 2025 that he makes a difference, and he was often performing with difficulties off the track in the background.
In 2026, Murphy will continue to be the main man for Andrew Balding, and let’s not forget the trainer sent out more winners in 2025 than in any other year he has held a licence.
A score of 192 was way above his previous best of 165.
Murphy rode 68 of those, just about a third of all the Balding successes.
The Killarney-born native shows no signs of resting on his laurels.
Only the other day he was in India and then he rode three winners in Saudi Arabia.
He’s going to Cape Town shortly and is due to take part at the Pegasus World Cup meeting in America.
Interestingly, I got the impression Murphy was slightly irked that previously no one had mentioned to him he was close to setting the record Loughnane has just done.
“It’s odd but when I got close to Kieran’s record no-one mentioned it to me – I had no idea,” he added.
It suggested to me five-time champion Murphy is himself hungry to remain best of the best. Loughnane is in for a right smash up.
For most of you, jumps racing is what this time of year is all about, even with a cold snap causing chaos.
There are so many horses to look forward to, including youngsters like Old Park Star, El Cairos and Mossy Fen Road.
I can’t wait to see Saint Baco again, who looks a monster in the making for Willie Mullins and looked a monster at Navan in early December.
Novice chasers Lulamba and Final Demand appear special.
I’d really like Romeo Coolio to win the Arkle at the 20-1 I tipped him up at last year, but he might end up over further. That would be annoying!
I still think sidelined Constitution Hill could yet end up in the Champion Hurdle, while I suspect Marine Nationale will double up in the Champion Chase.
I suggested everyone should back Teahupoo at 6-1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle last year so things are looking good with him at this stage.
He’s currently about 9-4 and appeared as good as ever over Christmas.
As for the Gold Cup, well Galopin des Champs and Jango Baie are my two against the field.
I like the comeback of the former at Leopardstown and I thought the latter ran a belter in the King George and his run suggested a step up to three miles and two furlongs will be no issue at all.
I hope you all have a fantastic year. Horse racing remains a sport that keeps so many people’s minds active and motivated. Enjoy.
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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