Teenager Billy Loughnane does a Luke Littler with stunning 80-1 win

Since 16 is the minimum age to obtain a driver's license, teenagers who succeed in breaking through have become rarer. Previously, Lester Piggott had ridden his first winner in 1948 at the age of 12 while, 10 years earlier, Bruce Hobbs had won the Grand National on Battleship at the age of 17.

There was Walter Swinburn who won the 1981 Derby on Shergar as a teenager while more recently, in 2018, James Bowen won the Welsh National on Raz de Maree before he was old enough to take an exam driving. Steve Cauthen, meanwhile, rode 487 winners in his second season when he was just 17, and in 1978, at age 18, he won the American Triple Crown on Affirmed. Cauthen gave Loughnane the apprentice championship last year.

It's a remarkable rise for a teenager who didn't start riding until he was 16. Loughnane spent the first seven years of his life in Ireland before moving to Stoke with his family when his father Mark, who owns 50 horses, began training. there, and did not make its first race until October 24, 2022.

Inspired by Littler

In an interview with Telegraph Sport, Loughnane described how he took inspiration from darts player Luke Littler – even though he couldn't have gotten away with his diet. “As I'm quite tall I have to be very careful about what I eat, so unfortunately I won't be out celebrating a victory with a kebab and a can of Fanta,” he said.

Rashabar is the most expensive Coventry winner since Nando Parrado won at 150-1 in 2020. “He’s a lovely horse,” Meehan said.

“Chester [last time] It was a bit disappointing but he missed the break and I think without that he would have won. The form worked well, he trained very well at home and the team did a fantastic job.

“Right now it’s about showing what we can do and the satisfaction as a coach and for the home team is very special.”