2012 is already a month old but we thought it would be worthwhile looking at three jockeys for whom it could be a very big year.
Silvestre de Sousa had a very successful 2011, he was involved in the battle for the jockey’s title until near the end of the season and we expect him to mount and even more determined challenge this year to his Northern counterpart and current champion, Paul Hanagan. In the last 50 years only four riders from outside of Britain and Ireland have been champion Flat jockey and we are certain that a big 2012 for de Sousa will see him become the fifth. In the last 12 months de Sousa has been transformed with backing from several large Northern stables and consistent success at a higher level. If his current work-rate and drive are maintained he very much looks the one to beat in 2012 in the title race especially if he gets off to a quicker start and avoids the suspensions that blighted and hampered his 2011 challenge near the end. People looking for a horse betting how to need to remember this.
Very few people have challenged the numerical first and second in the jump jockeys’ table in the past decade with AP MCoy and Richard Johnson being almost permanent fixtures and the rest struggling to match their totals. Below those two there is greater fluidity and one jockey we think that is ready to break into the elite is James Reveley. He is numerically enjoying his best season with 44 winners so far and he has really caught the eye with some fine rides especially from off the pace. His link with Nick Williams has given him the opportunity to ride better horses and the experience he has gained in France riding for Guillaime Macaire has proved invaluable. A first Cheltenham Festival winner would put the seal on a fine season and see Reveley seal his place in the elite. People who bet on horse need to bear this in mind.
Becoming champion Flat apprentice is no guarantee to success in the senior ranks, and we are sure that last year’s champion Martin Harley will be mindful of that as he embarks on his first campaign as a fully-fledged senior rider. Ability is only part of the equation and luck and being in fashion plays an equally important part in any young rider’s destiny. Harley should be fine though as he has the backing of a prolific stable in that of Mick Channon and a stint at Jim Bolger’s yard will have imbued Harley with a work ethic that he will need to make the breakthrough permanent and demonstrate his undoubted talents. There are still 11 months left in 2012, plenty of time for these three riders to make 2012 a really big year.
