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Royal Ascot is the pinnacle of the flat racing season. With a host of exciting races such as the Gold Cup and Queen Anne Stakes, British horse racing does not come much better, or with more prestige. Yet it is not just the horses the eyes of the crowd will be on. The top jockeys will descend on the festival, each competing for their place in the history books. Below, we discuss our tips for the top jockeys at Royal Ascot.
Ryan Moore 186s4t
Ryan Moore currently goes into Royal Ascot as the top jockey with most of the punters in the Ascot betting opting for him as the one who will win the most races. Crowned the leading jockey in 2022, it seems he is in great contention to repeat his success in 2023. He had a sterling performance at Epsom, romping home on Auguste Rodin and Regal Reality. He also has an astounding record set in 2015 when he rode nine winners to victory in the festival.
When it comes to the Gold Cup, he is more than likely going to be riding one of trainer Aidan Patrick O’Brien’s horses. The most favoured is Emily Dickinson, currently at 7/1, with great odds for anyone betting on horse racing before the event begins. However, she did take a dip in form when losing to Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes.
The first choice for this trainer, they have a great partnership and he often rides horses owned by the Coolmore Stud breeding operation. Not only does Moore have a great pedigree at Ascot, but O’Brien himself is also the most successful trainer here, making them a winning combination.
Frankie Dettori 1x503c
In his last season before retirement, Frankie Dettori is going out in style. He has had some sterling wins this season already, mainly at Epsom. Yet Ascot has proven a double-edged sword for him in recent years. Last year he missed out on winning the Gold Cup four times in a row, matching a record set by Yeats. Ride Stradivarius just failed to deliver the historic win. He was also edged out of a photo finish riding Saga.
However, Dettori has had some of his most memorable moments here. In 1996 he ran all seven festival winners and has won more than 500 group races, with 23 winners of the British Classics Race. He rode John Gosden-trained Arrest in the Epsom Derby, so he could well be on a 16/1 shot Courage Mon Ami in the Gold Cup.
William Buick 1j1j2s
Royal winner at @WindsorRaces! The King and Queen's Reminder scores for William Buick and @AndrewBalding2 👑 pic.twitter.com/1lPB07iaG4
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 5, 2023
Buick is a young, British Norwegian jockey who has stepped up his game in the last few seasons. A winner of the Champion Apprentice Jockey in 2008, he then went on to rack up a string of impressive victories, with just under 600 wins over the last five seasons alone. He is also the winner of four British Classic races.
His last win was on Reminder, riding for Balding. He could well be on the favourite Coltrane for the same trainer in this race, a horse that is in exceptional form and coming off the back of a win.
There will be many other jockeys in contention, competing in this amazing festival. If you are not visiting the course, settle into the sofa and get set for an exciting few days of racing action.