Billy Loughnane Crowned 2026 British Champion Flat Jockey

The 2026 Flat jockeys’ championship closed at Ascot on Champions Day, and Billy Loughnane has been confirmed as champion. At 20, he is the youngest rider to take the title in more than a century. He ended the reign of five-time champion Oisin Murphy, who had led the standings for much of the year.

The championship was decided on winners ridden in both Flat and all-weather races. It began at the Guineas Festival in early May and ran through to the final day of the season. Every winner counted, from the early-season Classics to the quiet midweek cards at smaller tracks, which is why the title rewards consistency as much as star rides. Billy finished the campaign with around 159 winners and a strike rate of about 20 per cent, a remarkable return for a rider still in his twenties.

It was also a title he had been working towards for some time. Billy finished second to Murphy in 2025, and he made his ambition clear at the start of the year. Finishing one place higher is the sort of progress that stands out in a weighing room full of experienced riders, many of whom have years more experience than he does.

The championship was never a foregone conclusion. For much of the summer, the jockeys’ title looked like a close contest, with Murphy a constant presence near the top. Billy’s ability to keep his ride count high through the busiest months of the calendar was central to his lead. Champion jockeys are rarely made by one great day, and this one was built on a long run of winners across Newmarket, Epsom, York and Ascot.

Billy’s rise

Billy is the son of trainer Daniel Mark Loughnane, and horses have been part of his life from the start. He rode out for his father while still at school, and he was riding on the pony racing circuit before he ever sat on a racecourse. He won the all-weather apprentice championship, was named champion apprentice in 2023, and became the youngest jockey in more than 60 years to ride in a British Classic that same year.

His progress since then has been unusually fast. In 2025 he rode 222 winners in a calendar year, a British Flat record that beat Kieren Fallon’s 2003 total of 221. That year he also registered his first Group 1 victory, for Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby, in Germany. He has also won the all-weather jockeys’ title as a senior rider, which shows that his success is not limited to one part of the calendar.

Those who have followed his career say his greatest strength is his partnership with a small group of trainers, most notably George Boughey, who has been a close friend as well as an employer. That relationship has given him top-class rides at the right moments. It has also given him the time and opportunity to develop, and that matters for a young rider trying to build a championship-winning book of rides.

Billy has also spoken about the sheer amount of work that goes into the job. The early mornings, the travel to meetings across the country, and the long hours in the weighing room all shape a rider as much as the races themselves. For someone who has been riding since childhood, the job is less a career path and more a lifelong ambition that has finally come true.

The horses behind the title

No jockey wins a championship without strong horses beneath him, and Billy’s season was defined by several standout rides. The most significant was Bow Echo, trained by George Boughey. The colt was unbeaten at the time of his Guineas win, and Billy rode him to victory in the 2000 Guineas, which was his first British Classic success. That result showed the rest of the field what he could do on the biggest occasions.

Bow Echo’s season continued at Royal Ascot, where Billy partnered him to win the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day. The colt held off a strong challenge from Gstaad, and the win added to a week in which Billy was already busy across the card. Bow Echo later took the Sussex Stakes, cementing a campaign that produced four Group 1 winners for Billy in the UK by mid-season, three of them on the same horse.

It is worth noting how much these rides mattered for the title race. Group 1 winners carry big prize money and big reputations, and they help a rider attract further top rides. A jockey who keeps winning on the best horses in training is far more likely to keep winning across the card, and that is exactly what happened to Billy through the summer.

Bow Echo is now reported to be preparing for a career at stud, so the colt will not be around for the 2027 season. Billy’s next challenge will be finding fresh Classic and Group 1 targets, and that will be one of the most interesting storylines for next year’s championship.

What comes next for flat racing

The turf season has wrapped up, but Flat racing does not stop. All-weather racing continues through the winter months, with meetings at tracks such as Lingfield, Wolverhampton and Newcastle. Billy has already won the all-weather jockeys’ title, so expect him to remain busy through the cold months, riding for his regular stables and building his winning tally for the new season.

Looking further ahead, the main questions for 2027 concern the horses. Every Classic season produces new stars, and the trainers who attract the best two-year-olds in spring tend to set the tone for the year. Billy’s strongest asset is his close working relationship with a Newmarket trainer who has been producing top horses for years. If that link continues, he will be among the most sought-after riders in the country when the new turf season begins.

The championship itself is also likely to be just as competitive. Oisin Murphy has won the title five times and will not give up his place without a fight, and the field below the top two is full of talented riders who are capable of challenging. Defending a title is often harder than winning one, because every rival now knows what a champion looks like. For Billy, the next season will be about proving that the 2026 result was the start of a longer run.

The jumps season is under way

While the Flat wraps up, the National Hunt season is in full swing. Jump racing runs from the autumn through to the spring, and the calendar is built around hurdles and steeplechases over a variety of distances and ground conditions. Trainers and owners plan their horses for particular races, and the early months give them the chance to find out which horses are ready for the big targets.

The jumps season has its own rhythm. Novice races help young horses gain experience, while handicaps give owners of more moderate horses a chance to win prize money. Long-distance chases, such as the staying races, test stamina and jumping ability, and the best of these tend to be run in the depths of winter, when the ground is softer and the going is harder. For racegoers, the autumn and winter meetings offer a more relaxed atmosphere than the big summer festivals, and many of the best value days out in British racing happen on a cold afternoon in the jumps season.

Everything builds towards the Cheltenham Festival, which is the highlight of the National Hunt calendar. Many trainers aim their best horses at the Festival, and a big run in the weeks before can be decisive for the Festival’s betting market. For many fans, the autumn and winter are simply the preparation for the four days in March when Cheltenham becomes the centre of British jump racing.

Cheltenham Festival 2027

The Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027. Across four days, there are 28 races, including 14 Grade 1 contests. The Festival is known for its strong Irish contingent, and the rivalry between British and Irish trainers and riders is one of the most enjoyable parts of the meeting.

Tuesday 16 March is Champion Day, with the Unibet Champion Hurdle as the feature race. The Champion Hurdle is one of the most closely watched races of the week, and it sets the tone for the meeting. Wednesday 17 March is Ladies Day, which combines strong racing with a lively atmosphere in the stands. Thursday 18 March is St Patrick’s Thursday, when the Irish-British rivalry is at its most lively and the crowd often includes plenty of Irish visitors. Friday 19 March is Gold Cup Day, and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is the race of the day. The Gold Cup is the highlight of the jumps season and one of the most important races in the calendar.

Gates open at 10:30 on each of the four days, and the first race is at 13:20, with the last race at 17:20. Race times are subject to change, so check the official schedule before you travel. Dress is smart, though there is no formal dress code, and most racegoers choose something warm and practical for the March weather.

Getting to the course is straightforward. Racegoers can book a coach with National Express or plan a bus journey from Cheltenham Spa station. The Festival attracts large crowds, so arriving early and planning your transport in advance will make the day far more relaxed.

Cheltenham offers several hospitality styles, from restaurants to private boxes, and packages for the 2027 Festival are already on sale. Booking early is worthwhile, particularly for the most popular days.

Book Cheltenham hospitality with Engage.

Booking Royal Ascot 2027

Royal Ascot 2027 runs from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 June. The meeting has a long history, dating back to 1711, and remains one of the central events of the British summer. Each day begins with the Royal Procession along the Straight Mile, and the racing that follows features high-quality Group races across the card.

Ladies Day and the Gold Cup fall on Thursday 17 June, and it is the most fashion-focused day of the week. It is also the busiest, so if that day is important to you, book early. Opening day on Tuesday 15 June is the strongest day for flat racing purists, with several Group 1 races on the card.

Choosing an enclosure. The Royal Enclosure is the most formal area of the course. Access is by membership, which must be sponsored by two existing members and approved at Ascot, or by booking one of the designated Royal Enclosure restaurants, which includes a personalised day badge. The Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code, and men must wear morning dress with a top hat. The Queen Anne Enclosure is the premier public enclosure, with access to the parade ring, trackside viewing and the grandstand ground floor. The Village Enclosure has a more relaxed feel, with excellent views of the grandstand and a lively afterparty. The Windsor Enclosure is casual, with fewer amenities, and it suits families and groups.

Choosing hospitality. Engage’s hospitality options include ICON by Engage, which sits in the Village Enclosure close to the winning post and offers a seasonal lunch. The Sandringham is an orangery-style structure with a large outdoor deck. The Wyndham Restaurant is a fine dining option in the Royal Enclosure, overlooking the gardens. ON5 is a glass-fronted restaurant with a trackside balcony. Furlong is a bespoke marquee at the east end of the grandstand, with access to the Queen Anne Enclosure. Private boxes sit on levels two to five of the grandstand and suit groups of around 10 to 72 guests. Each option offers a different balance of dining, views and atmosphere, so think about your guests before choosing.

Getting there. Ascot is easily reached by train from London Waterloo or Paddington, and Ascot station is a short walk from the racecourse gates. Car parking can be pre-booked online for race days, though the window for booking can be limited, so check the current arrangements when you book. Blue Badge holders can park in the Ascot car parks, and the racecourse is accessible with ramps and lifts throughout.

Dress code. The Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code, and the Queen Anne and Village enclosures also have dress rules that you should review before you book. Women should note the requirements for dress length, straps and headwear, while men should check the rules on suits, ties and socks. The Windsor Enclosure has no formal dress code, but smart daywear is encouraged.

Book Royal Ascot 2027 hospitality with Engage

Frequently asked questions

How many days is Royal Ascot 2027?
Royal Ascot 2027 runs over five days, from Tuesday 15 June to Saturday 19 June.

When is Ladies Day at Royal Ascot 2027?
Ladies Day and the Gold Cup take place on Thursday 17 June 2027.

Do I need to be a member of the Royal Enclosure to attend?
No. You can enter the Royal Enclosure by reserving a table at one of the designated restaurants, which includes a personalised day badge.

Are Royal Ascot 2027 hospitality packages available yet?
Yes, several packages are on sale now. Availability varies by day and supplier, so check dates before you commit.

When is the Cheltenham Festival 2027?
The Festival runs from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027, with four days of racing and 28 races in total.