Most of us can remember the names of legendary horses, their most iconic victories in famous races around the world, often made immortal by the subsequent bloodlines. Arguably the best-known thoroughbred in American horse racing history is Man o’ War, the legendary stallion foaled in Kentucky that won 20 from 21 races in 1919 and 1921.
No horse has drawn more historical acclaim than “Big Red” as the powerful chestnut was also known. After his retirement from racing, Man o’ War became a leading sire who produced multiple champions, including Triple Crown winner War Admiral. He was also the grandsire of Seabuiscuit, while that remarkable bloodline still continues to this day, coursing through the veins of modern champions. Although not a direct descendent, even the hugely popular 1970’s champion Secretariat was a distant relation.
The names of those horses are forever etched in our collective memories. But how often can we name the jockeys who urged those thoroughbreds to success? Well, unless we happen to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of horse racing history, chances are the names of those jockeys are shrouded in the mists of time. Yet in truth, without such highly skilled jockeys in the saddle, those iconic horses might not have registered the successes they achieved.
Exploring every angle whenever wagering
For those of us familiar with backing the horses, akin to wagering on any other sport, savvy bettors will often do plenty of research beforehand. This might involve careful scrutiny of how a horse has fared over certain types of racetracks, their performances in specific kinds of race, along with the quality of opposition they faced.
Likewise, we might also consider looking at the stables these horses originate from, their bloodlines and who trains them, given that successful trainers can establish themselves impressive reputations for turning average horses into true greats. Quite frequently, these trainers also put their faith in certain jockeys, those who they believe will forge the best unison of man or woman and horse.
Once we find ourselves to be suitably armed with all this information, it often provides us with more confidence whenever we place our bets. Just as important as our knowledge about the horses, their trainers and the jockeys in the saddle, finding the right places to place our funds can also require plenty of additional research. Thankfully, the latest guide to horse racing betting in SBO covers every angle.
Along with detailed and unbiased reviews of the most trusted online bookmakers, SBO focuses on which sites have the best live betting options accompanied by reliable streams, plus information looking at where the most competitive odds and offers can be found. They also provide tips on factors to consider when backing the horses, such as trainer nuances and behaviours, which can often include which jockeys they might prefer in the saddle.
Leading jockeys to follow
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Widely respected as one of the top jockeys in the world, Irad Ortiz, Jr. leads the way in the American horse racing charts. According to the latest jockey statistics at Equibase and as of 13 April this year, he has amassed almost $7 million in prize money from 320 races. He has ridden 95 winners in 2022, along with registering the leading WPS percentage (win, place, show), finishing amongst the top three in 63% of races run.
In the United Kingdom, the Professional Jockeys association is the place to check the form of riders, given they maintain several different championships for different kinds of races. Brian Hughes is currently leading the Jump Jockeys Championship, having earned almost £1.8 million in total prize money. He boasts a strike rate of 21% having won 194 races from 913 rides, during the current season which ends on Saturday 23 April 2022.
Starting with the Guineas Festival, the Flat Jockeys Championship will run from May to October. The reigning 2021 champion is Oisin Murphy, who registered 153 wins from 703 rides last year, hitting an unbeatable 22% strike rate of winning rides. He was closely followed by William Buick, who registered an impressive 21% strike rate, riding 153 winners from 703 rides.
In conclusion, don’t forget to check who is in the saddle, no matter which thoroughbred you’re thinking of backing, as every great horse needs an equally great rider guiding them to victory.
There are more informative and interesting articles in our section on Horse Racing.
