FOR those of us with eternal youth whipper snappers are nothing to worry about.
But alas not all are so blessed, and in the weighing room one or two riders will be just looking over their shoulders as young talent blossomed on the Flat last weekend.
Could De la Sayette take over from Frankie as No1 for the Gosden team?
Top of the list has to be Benoit de la Sayette, who banged in a second Lincoln success thanks to the David Menuisier-trained Migration.
Well done to my French friend, incidentally, who is a handler I rather like. A character and a skilled on at that. Talentueux.
Back to Sayette. The champion apprentice has had his issues, but is clearly really good in the mould of a certain Frankie Dettori who is expected, although not certain, to retire at the end of this year.
It would be a huge gig for Sayette to replace Dettori as John & Thady Gosden’s number one rider, but it’s not a possibility you would want to lay long odds about.
I suspect he’s going to be one of the top riders in the UK over the next few years.
The geniuses in the saddle tend to have their flaws. Gosden Snr is a proven past master at dealing with such jockeys and getting the best out of them.
Another youngster to impress was Jonny Peate, who kicked him Harswell Duke in the Spring Mile, the Lincoln consulation race.
This was a hard victory for me to take as a supporter of the runner-up Titian, but the success was fair and square and Peate did really well.
That’s nine victories for 2023 and he will surely beat last year’s tally of 19 with ease.
Much has been written about the talent of young teenager Billy Loughnane, and he was superb on Doddie’s Impact in the Brocklesby for Robyn Brisland.
It’s worth remembering that Loughnane didn’t claim in the race, but still got a tremendous rally out of his charge to deny Kevin Stott and runner-up Valdero who looked all over the victor a furlong out.
Loughnane just gets better and better and I will be surprised if the big name trainers don’t get excited by his claim.
Finally, Harry Davies has been quiet recently but had a winner for Charlie Appleby at Chelmsford on April 1 when Bold Act won by half a length.
Davies is another rider who looks sure to make the big time in the years ahead.
I’m led to believe those closest to Davies will unleash his ability to a greater extent closer to the Craven fixture.
Latching on to young apprentices can be a great tool for punters.
Alas the four mentioned are all obvious. But this column wishes them well. They are the future.
