Billy Loughnane straight back to winning ways

Billy Loughnane wasted no time in getting back among the winners on his return from Australia and is looking forward to a big year ahead – with a title tilt possibly on the cards.

The teenage sensation signed off his stint in the Southern Hemisphere with a win on Yorkshire at Wyong in New South Wales over the weekend, and quickly picked up where he left off by partnering 2-9 favourite Stage Winner to victory at Lingfield.

Asked about his time in Australia, he told Sky Sports Racing: “I enjoyed every minute of it out there, I had a great time and I learned a lot.

“Riding work in the mornings, I learned loads, especially with the way they do everything to the times and the way they train two-year-olds out there and gate speed, I learned a lot in that respect.

“Getting into position quickly is quite key over there, they jump and are sharp away from the gates and very much into stride a hundred yards into the race, whereas over here, especially on the turf, you can find your time a little bit more and get a position more easily.

“There, you’ve got to be very sharp and aware of what’s going on around you.”

Stage Winner secured a straightforward success in the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novice Stakes for George Boughey, who has just expanded his operation with the purchase of new training facilities from Godolphin.

The Newmarket handler confirmed that Loughnane will be his first-choice jockey this term and they look set to form a formidable partnership.

Loughnane added: “It’s very exciting and I’m very lucky to be riding for George. We’ve got a really great batch of two-year-olds turning three coming this season and again it looks like we’ve got some nice yearlings stepping forward.

“Now that we’ve got a beautiful yard to train from as well, it’s definitely going to be a good year.

“I love working with George, I’ve been with him now since I’ve been claiming, he’s supported me a lot through the past two years and I’ll definitely be trying to pay him back.”

Having finished fourth in the table behind Oisin Murphy last season, the 18-year-old accepts pushing for the jockeys’ championship will be tough but insists he is “100 per cent” up for the challenge.

He said: “I’ve got a lot of goals again for this year that I’ll be disappointed if I don’t tick off. I’ve got a lot of goals to get done.

“I’ll definitely be going for it, it’s going to be very tough to be able to get up there with the numbers of winners, but I’m definitely keen to look at it.

“I want to try to beat my numerical number again from last year and try and get some group success along the way as well.

“There’s not as much racing every day in Australia, so I had a little bit more time to myself, recharge the batteries a little bit and in the gym every day, so I’m fitter and ready to take on a big season.”