In a dramatic finish to the racing year, teenage sensation Billy Loughnane has rewritten the history books by setting a new 21st-century record for the most British victories in a single calendar year.
A Record Secured at the Last Possible Moment
The 19-year-old prodigy left it until the very last day of 2025, New Year's Eve, to achieve the landmark. He secured his 222nd win of the year at Lingfield Park, finally surpassing the legendary Kieren Fallon's total of 221 winners, set back in 2003.
Loughnane had drawn level with Fallon's historic tally just one day earlier, on Tuesday at Wolverhampton. With five rides booked for Lingfield's all-weather card on Wednesday, the pressure was on. The decisive moment came with his penultimate mount of the day, aboard the George Boughey-trained Invited in a one-mile handicap.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Invited took an early lead, kicked clear two furlongs from home, and just managed to hold on at the winning post, delivering Loughnane his place in the record books.
A Meteoric Rise to the Top
Loughnane's ascent in the racing world has been nothing short of spectacular. He burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old in late 2022 and made an immediate impact. Within just 12 weeks of taking out his licence in January 2023, he rode an impressive 23 winners.
His phenomenal talent was officially recognised at the end of that year when he was crowned champion apprentice, joining an elite list of previous winners that includes modern greats like Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori, and William Buick.
This season has been his most remarkable yet. He reached 200 wins for the first time in December at Lingfield, becoming the only jockey to hit that milestone in 2025. Furthermore, Loughnane is one of the fastest jockeys in history to reach 500 British career wins, achieving the feat in just three seasons.
How His Pace Compares to Legends
To put his speed of development into perspective, other top riders took considerably longer:
- Oisin Murphy, Frankie Dettori, Tom Marquand: Six seasons.
- Ryan Moore: Seven seasons.
- Jamie Spencer: Eight seasons.
- Kieren Fallon: Nine seasons.
Sealing the Deal with a Late Surge
The final push for the record was a testament to Loughnane's relentless form. In the 14 days leading up to New Year's Eve, he rode a stunning 17 winners, putting himself within touching distance of Fallon's total.
His record-breaking victory at Lingfield caps an incredible year and solidifies his status as one of the most exciting talents in world horse racing. At just 19, Billy Loughnane has not only broken a long-standing record but has signalled the arrival of a new dominant force in the sport.
