Worcester-based trainer Mark Loughnane is on course for his best tally of winners in a calendar year in 2023, beating his record of 41 which he set in 2021.
The Irishman landed his 30th winner of the campaign in early August this season. Loughnane trains predominantly Flat horses with over 50 runners in his stable.
The highest-rated horse in his yard is Precision Storm, a six-year-old gelding who has an official mark of 91 on the all-weather.
7:30pm Result: Congratulations to Triggered who wins the “Lady Louise Radford Handicap” (T) Mark Loughnane (J) Jack Mitchell (O) L Bellman & S & A Mares
1️⃣ Triggered
2️⃣ Anificas Beauty
3️⃣ Monaadhil pic.twitter.com/CS8wCEef3T— Chelmsford City Racecourse (@ChelmsfordCRC) May 11, 2023
Three horses in Loughnane’s care have already completed a treble this season.
Triggered brought up his third win of the season at Wolverhampton in a handicap contest over 7f back in May, while Follow Your Heart and Arcadian Nights have excellent 50 per cent strike rates, with three wins from their six appearances.
Loughnane is fortunate to train with a widespread of different owners, including syndicates.
With racehorse shares available from as little as £35 with Raceshare, many horse racing fans are choosing to go down that route when it comes to racehorse ownership.
This makes it more affordable to be involved in a horse and you may get the opportunity to see your horse in action on the track when they run.
Loughnane Began Training Career in Ireland
Before moving to the UK in 2011, Loughnane began his training career in Ireland where he looked after National Hunt horses.
His first two runners under rules were both winners, with one of them prevailing at the Galway Festival.
Loughnane’s opening Listed success came at Tralee in the Patsy Byrne Handicap Hurdle in 2003.
Under the hands of top jockey Davy Russell, hurdler Liscahill Hill won the 2m1f contest by just under a length.
Four years after that Listed triumph, Loughnane won another big race at Tralee.
Forthright was successful in the Brandon Hotel Handicap Hurdle, a race with Grade C status.
The gelding was ridden to victory by the now-retired Ruby Walsh.
Billy Loughnane Excellent in The Saddle
The Worcester-based trainer is not the only Loughnane having a lot of success in the UK, his son Billy is also picking up a lot of headlines.
He has ridden 79 winners this season, with the majority of his wins coming for his father, Marco Botti and Mark Usher.
WHAT A FINISH!
Class Member just holds on to get off the mark.@loughnane_billy the winning jockey & @gbougheyracing the winning trainer. pic.twitter.com/fFWoyTBUbI
— Leicester Racecourse (@LeicesterRaces) June 17, 2023
Loughnane made his debut in the saddle last October.
He lost his 7lb claim in January after riding 23 winners, while two months later, his 5lb claim also went due to his fast success.
If he continues adding to his tally at the strike rate he is going, he will be the crowned Champion Apprentice Jockey this season.
Unfortunately for the talented rider, he is out of action for a sustained period due to a fractured thumb. He picked up the injury back in July at Nottingham.
The apprentice is targeting a return to the saddle in late August.
The Loughnane duo will be hoping the final months are of the Flat season as just as fruitful for them as the year began.
The final fixture of the season comes at Doncaster in November, with the November Handicap being the feature race on the card.
