By Peter Moore at Ascot Saturday 3rd October 2026
Pictures: Peter Moore
Billy Loughnane looks to have both hands on the champion jockeys title after riding a treble at Ascot on Saturday, to move 26 clear of his nearest rival Oisin Murphy.
The 20-year-old has now ridden an incredible 213 winners so far this calendar year and is poised to become champion jockey for the first time on Champions Day at Ascot on the 17th of the month.
It didn’t take long for Billy the kid to open his account for the afternoon after steering So Regal to victory in the opening race on the card.
Dropping down in trip, Loughnane had to switch to his left to find space, but once found he always looked likely to hit the front, with the filly going clear to score by one and a quarter lengths.
Hidden Force became the youngsters second success of the afternoon after landing the odds by three quarters of a length for the Charlie Appleby yard.
It was another vintage ride by the youngster to bag a 65-1 treble after steering Gold Star Hero to victory in the 5f handicap.
Having been placed over the C&D in two of his last three starts, the gelding went one better to score by a length from Rhythm N Hooves.
Veteran Al Aasy defied his age and odds to take the BET MGM Cumberland Lodge under Danny Tudhope.
The nine-year-old was runner up in this contest two years ago, and went into the race after an impressive career best victory in the Grade 2 Grand Prix de Deauville a month ago.
Giving 5lb to the field, Tudhope settled the gelding at the rear of the field before gradually moving to the front 2f out. He soon hung right but led narrowly before keeping on to score by a neck.
Air Force One got the better of Regional in a tight battle in the Class 1 Rous Stakes with the Geoff Oldroyd trained five-year-old getting the verdict in a photo finish on the nod.
Mezcala landing three major handicaps through the season after taking the 7f handicap with George Bass aboard.
Mezcala won the Spring Mile on the opening day of the Flat turf season at Doncaster, bettered that when landing the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and finished his year with his most valuable success in the Challenge Cup.
“He started the season off a good mark, but after he won at Doncaster we could’ve gone to win another couple of races, but John and Julia Aisbitt [owners] had the confidence in me to wait for Ascot,” Channon said.
“He’s improving all the time and he’s a stakes horse for next season in this seven-furlong division. He’s a really nice horse.”