Top Jockey Title for Moore
The Royal Ascot Festival is not only a five day spectacular of live horse racing action and entertainment for spectators, but it is a very competitive time for jockeys and trainers wanting to take top honors at the end of the festival. Even though Ryan Moore is contracted to Sir Michael Stoute, he is the number one choice for trainer Aidan O’Brian, trainer for Ballydoyle, if Moore is able to ride. It came down to only two jockeys fighting for the Top Jockey title this year, namely Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes. Moore was able to take the title by a mere nose, leaving Hughes in second position, for the second time.
It is also the second time that Moore has won the Top Jockey title for the Ascot Festival, but last year he had four winning horses, whereas this year he only had three, even though the jockey commented that he thought he had four winning horses. On Tuesday last week, Moore took the victory at the Coventry Stakes on a horse named Power, and on Saturday he secured his title by winning the Hardwicke on Await The Dawn, and riding Maybe to a win during the running of the Chesham Stakes. Unfortunately, neither of his victories were for Sir Michael Stoute, as all his winning horses came from Aiden O’Brian. Moore commented that Fiorente was a very good mount, but he was just a little too green and it counted against him. In regard to him winning the Top Jockey title, Moore felt that he and Richard Hughes were level when it came to deserving the title. Moore had more horses that placed and therefore he won.
Aiden O’Brian took the Top Trainer award, just edging past Richard Hannon, for whom Richard Hughes rides. O’Brian was able to secure four victories, with two second place finishes and one third place. Hannon on the other hand had eight starts, of which his horses won three events, came in with four second place finishes and also had one third place. The four victories enabled O’Brian to secure the title for trainers. The Royal Ascot Festival was an exciting event, and is the most watched televised horse racing event on the calendar. Next year will again bring excitement and action, as contenders return to compete for top positions, titles and victories.
