BILLY LOUGHNANE struck the front and won going away to land the inaugural UK & Ireland World Pool Jockeys’ Championship.
And the teenage jockey has decided to donate the colossal £50,000 prize to The Christy Lambe Foundation.
Loughnane, 18, topped the leaderboard and finished over 90 points clear of second-placed Oisin Murphy thanks to his victories on several outsiders throughout the World Pool season.
The competition rewards the winning jockey of each World Pool race in the UK & Ireland with the horse’s World Pool Win dividend.
So when Loughnane struck on Rashabar in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, the young rider established a clear advantage.
Loughnane said: “I’m very grateful to World Pool for this prize. It’s a significant amount of money and I’m honoured to be able to donate it to The Christy Lambe Foundation.
“Riding in these races on the big days is what I’ve always dreamed of, so to win a few and to top the leaderboard is a fantastic feeling.
“The Christy Lambe Foundation was only setup two years ago and this money will be very important. The charity works to help people struggling with mental health and poverty, and it’s a cause that’s close to my heart as Christy’s oldest brother Michael is my sponsor, through his company Lambe Construction.”
Michael Lambe, older brother to Christy Lambe and representing The Christy Lambe Foundation, said: “My dad has supported Billy from the beginning of his career and we’re so proud to see the success he’s having. It is testament to his hard work and dedication.
“His decision to support the Foundation after winning the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship is a demonstration of his kind heart and good nature. He is a credit to his family and the sport of horse racing.
“Billy and World Pool’s £50,000 donation will allow The Christy Lambe Foundation to help our partner, Standing Tall, open a new office in Derby which will support 20 people out of homelessness next year and into stable jobs.”
Meanwhile, Turnover on World Pool bet-types across the 12 races from Randwick, Caulfield and Ascot on Saturday reached a record high for a single day’s racing.
A total of £48million was staked from over 28 countries, eclipsing the previous record of £38m set when 12 races from the Queensland and Epsom Derby meetings took place under the World Pool banner earlier this year.
Ascot’s six races generated £19.75m of the £48m, which is in line with 2023’s British Champions Day turnover of £20m.
Last week, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced that contributions as a result of World Pool to UK and Irish racecourses have surpassed £50 million, while initiatives, such as the World Pool Moment of the Day and World Pool Jockeys’ Championship have seen the HKJC return over £300,000 to stable staff and charity.
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