Billy The Kid went down in history and racing’s Billy The Kid has done the same after he brought 2025 to a close in record-breaking style.
There wouldn’t usually be much scrutiny on a run-of-the-mill card at Lingfield but that changed on Wednesday when Billy Loughnane arrived with a determination to shatter a 21st century boundary.
Loughnane, the prodigious teenager, has enjoyed an incredible 12 months, which included securing a first success at Group One Championship level on board Rebel’s Romance in August; there has also been a link up with Bow Echo, an exciting juvenile who is well-fancied to win the Betfred 2000 Guineas in May.
But there was something incredible at stake for Loughnane at Lingfield on New Year’s Eve – he needed one win to surpass the century’s record Kieren Fallon set in 2003 and it arrived at 2.30pm, when he coaxed an irresistible run from 4/5 favourite Invictus to win a one-mile handicap. It was his 222nd triumph of the calendar year.
The all-time best is held by Sir Gordon Richards, who partnered 269 winners in 1947.
He has travelled the length of the country in the last few days trying to surpass Fallon, a six-time Champion Jockey, going from Wolverhampton to Newcastle and back down to Lingfield but all the miles were worth it as Invictus, trained by his boss George Boughey, stuck his neck out when it mattered.
Billy Loughnane won 222 races in 2025 – more than anyone else in a calendar year in the 21st Century
The 19-year-old from Ireland is tipped to be a champion jockey by many; potentially in 2026
‘I’m relieved!’ Loughnane gasped. ‘The last few days have been full on. There was a little bit of pressure coming into the meeting. But I am delighted to get it done and, to do it for George, it means a lot.
‘I was looking at the list of jockeys (on Tuesday) night and I couldn’t believe it. I’m nowhere near as good as a lot of them yet – but hopefully one day I will be.’
The list Loughnane studied included Fallon, Richard Hughes, Oisin Murphy, Seb Sanders and Paul Hanagan and for him to be on top of it, a little more than three years after taking his first ride, gives an indication of his exceptional talent.
Boughey, who is based in Newmarket, told Daily Mail Sport in August that Loughnane has the spirit, talent and charisma to be the face of racing for a new generation and an achievement of this level cannot go unnoticed by the wider sporting world.
Many believe Loughnane will be champion jockey – maybe even as early as next season – and he has vowed to attack the record books again, once he returns from a spell in Dubai, where he will be part of Goldolpin’s stable.
‘I wouldn’t be where I am without George,’ Loughnane told Sky Sports Racing. ‘He has been everything to me since I started – he has supported me the whole way. I’m delighted to get his 100th winner of the year, too.
‘I have been trying to ride as much as possible. I’m bored when I am not riding! I love my job and I am just very lucky to be able to partner some very nice horses.
‘Whether it’s for George, or for Dad (Mark) or for Charlie (Appleby) and all the team at Godolphin. I can only say “thank you” for all the support they have given me. I’d love to do the same again next year and have a few Group One winners on top.’
