Five apprentices who can make a name for themselves on the Flat this season

Flat racing returns to the turf on Saturday with the Lincoln meeting taking place at Doncaster. There is plenty of young talent in the weighing room for the season ahead and we have picked out five apprentices to note . . .

Rhys Clutterbuck

This rider is leading the way in the all-weather apprentice championship alongside Oliver Stammers on 17 winners, boasting a 22 per cent strike-rate since the turn of the year.

Clutterbuck, based with Gary Moore, enjoyed a big-race ride on Trueshan in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last season and should pick up more opportunities on the back of his impressive winter.

Rhys Clutterbuck: rode star stayer Trueshan last seasonCredit: John Walton (Getty Images)

He has caught the eye at Lingfield in recent weeks, riding three winners from his last five mounts at the track, and his record on the turf course at the Surrey venue is notable, operating at a 24 per cent strike-rate and posting a level-stake profit of £24.58.

Harry Davies

The dual pony racing champion could make an instant impact as he has been booked by Charlie Appleby to ride leading Lincoln contender Modern News.

Davies started out this year and has steered six winners from 19 rides. His first success came on Coolagh Magic at Lingfield, timing his run on the hold-up performer to perfection.

Harry Davies: has made an impressive start to life as an apprentice

Based with Andrew Balding, Davies will have his sights set on the apprentice championship and rides for such illustrious connections will only aid his cause.

Adam Farragher

Farragher made a favourable impression last season having moved over from Ireland to join William Haggas in Newmarket.

He grasped the many opportunities given to him by his new boss, operating at a 25 per cent strike-rate for Haggas, with Mick Appleby, Michael Dods, James Fanshawe and Robert Cowell among other trainers he has ridden winners for.

Adam Farragher: joined William Haggas last seasonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Farragher may well be involved in the Lincoln with Haggas potentially fielding three runners including Irish Admiral, who the apprentice was successful aboard at Redcar last season.

Christian Howarth

The Racing Excellence All-Weather Hands and Heels series for 2021-22 went to this apprentice, who is another to have sported the Godolphin silks during the early stages of his career.

Howarth, based with Marco Botti, spent time at Cambridge United’s academy as a youngster but pursued a career as a jockey instead of a footballer and has started this year with a bang.

Christian Howarth: made a good start to the yearCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He has already enjoyed more winners than last year, striking ten times from 64 mounts, and Howarth has ridden for an impressive array of trainers since starting out in 2020, including Charlie Appleby, Mark Johnston and Saeed bin Suroor.

Mollie Phillips

There is plenty to build on for Mollie Phillips on the back of a breakthrough year.

Phillips rode three winners from 39 rides across her first two seasons but enjoyed plenty of success in 2021, totalling 27 winners and 84 other first four finishers from 223 rides.

Mollie Phillips: rode 27 winners last yearCredit: James Stevens

She rides predominantly for boss Tony Carroll, who uses apprentices to good effect, and her mounts at Bath are always worth a second look. Phillips has enjoyed multiple wins on Under Curfew and Cherish there and operates at a 26 per cent strike-rate at the track, posting a level-stake profit of £28.58.

Mollie Phillips profile

Read more:

William Haggas eyes historic Lincoln win with strong team primed for Doncaster

Rising apprentice star handed plum ride on Godolphin's Lincoln favourite

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