Teenage riding sensation Billy Loughnane 'can't believe' he is at the Breeders' Cup

Teenage riding sensation Billy Loughnane will continue a rapid rise up the riding ranks on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, nicknamed ‘Billy the Kid’, burst on the scene aged 16 at the end of 2022, was crowned champion apprentice in 2023 and ended the 2024 campaign by finishing fourth in the Flat jockeys’ championship.

On Friday he will take his maiden Breeders’ Cup ride on Jet Sweep Joe in the Juvenile Turf Sprint then partner winner Soprano in Saturday’s 1m3f Filly & Mare Turf, three weeks after finishing second on the horse on his US debut at Keeneland.

He will spend part of the winter in but his next assignment is at Del Mar in California.

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“It’s great to get to know the place and I am really looking forward to two nice rides,” he said, speaking to the Breakfast at the Breeders’ Cup show.

“Soprano was a little bit inexperienced on the tight track at Keeneland and I think she will definitely learn from that. I think she’ll stay the trip good so fingers crossed.

“I’d love to be drawn a little bit lower but we’ve been dealt the hand we’ve got and we will just see how she gets away from the gate and play it by ear.

“I’m very lucky to be in a privileged position to be all over the riding in big races. I didn’t think I’d be doing it in my second year riding.”

Soprano is one of two runners for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and trainer George Boughey who will also saddle Believing in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Boughey said: “It’s great for the ownership group Highclere to have two horses out here. They are fillies that want fast ground and they seem to be doing great out here.”

Believing, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, refused to train on Wednesday, but worked out of the starting gate on Thursday.

“She jumped this morning when Billy rode her.," said Boughey. "She was clean away from the gates with the blinkers on. I hope the faster ground will allow her to grab that ground early. If she can hold her own for the first 150 yards she will run a huge race.”

Explaining her behaviour, he added: “She has done very little work. She hasn’t galloped since March which is hard for anyone to imagine. I’d just rather she did it on the track.

“Some days she doesn’t even want to go out and train. It’s pretty extraordinary but I think you just have to leave her to it.”