5 Trainers & Jockeys To Follow At York

York Racecourse will soon be hosting the Ebor Festival, which features some of the best racing of the entire season. With races such as the Juddmonte International, Nunthorpe and Ebor Handicap, it’s a meeting that trainers target specifically year on year. We’ve had a look through the past five years and have got together a list of the best jockeys and trainers at York, so you know who to be following next week. Our list has been compiled on strike rate percentages from the past five seasons, with trainers and jockeys who have had a large amount of runners/rides at the track.

Every race will be shown live on ITV – get our ITV racing tips here

Trainers To Follow

Sir Michael Stoute – 23% Strike Rate (20 winners from 87 runners)

Sir Michael is a masterful trainer so it’s no surprise to see him a top this list of trainers to follow at York, boasting a hugely healthy strike rate from 87 runners. He has a plethora of runners entered at the Festival next week, including Ulysses, Abingdon, Mori and three runners in the Ebor Handicap (Shraaoh, Dubka and Mainstream). His horses are known to improve with experience, so it’s worth tracking any who run well on debut.

Horse to Watch: Ulysses – Juddmonte International

William Haggas – 22% Strike Rate (37 winners)

It will not be any surprise to see William Haggas in the top five of our list, as he’s been having a brilliant season so far. As shown by his strike rate, he thrives at the Knavesmire and will be hoping to gain his first Group 1 victory of the season, as it has alluded him so far. At this stage, he doesn’t have too many entered at the Ebor Festival, but his main weapon looks to be Muthmir, who if back on song looks a big danger in the Nunthorpe.

Horse to Watch: Muthmir – Nunthorpe Stakes 

David O’Meara – 10% Strike Rate (39 winners)

As you can tell from the fact that he’s had 401 runners here in the past five years, O’Meara targets York on a meeting by meeting basis, but he’s also done very well at Ebor Festival specifically in the past. He has claimed two of the past three renewals of the Strensall Stakes and he does particularly well in the handicaps, so his runners in the Ebor need to be considered. He has two currently entered, with the most interesting looking to be Tawdeea, who is dangerously handicapped.

Horse to Watch: Tawdeea – Ebor Handicap

Kevin Ryan – 10% Strike Rate (24 winners)

This has been a season of mixed fortunes for the Kevin Ryan team, but he has returned to form of late and as the stats show, he does well when his runners are saddled on the Knavesmire. A handicap specialist, he can also ready them on the biggest stage, as proven by Brando’s empathic win in the Prix Maurice de Gheest earlier this month. At this early stage, he doesn’t have much entered at the Ebor Meeting, but Hey Jonesy looks an interesting contender for the Goffs Premier Yearling Conditions Stakes.

Horse to Watch: Hey Jonesy – Goffs Premier Yearling Conditions Stakes 

Richard Fahey – 6% Strike Rate (34 winners)

The fact that Richard Fahey has managed to maintain a 6% strike rate despite having 600 runners speaks for itself, with the Northern trainer enjoying a fine season thus far away from the Knavesmire also. He has scooped some big prizes including Group 1 glory with Ribchester and although he won’t be featuring at the Ebor Meeting, one horse who will is Sugieoo. He has been disappointing in the main this season, but he looks likely to take his chance in the Ebor and he’s dangerously weighted if sparking back to his best.

Horse to Watch: Sugieoo – Ebor Handicap 

Jockeys to Follow

Andrea Atzeni – 15% Strike Rate (19 winners)

Boasting a £15.12 profit from level stakes over the past five years, it is fair to say that it’s been a blast following Atzeni in the past. The ever in form jockey has enjoyed a brilliant season and continues to ride at the top of his game, always saving his best for the big stage. He enjoyed an incredibly successful Glorious Goodwood when racking up a four timer on Day 1 and he’ll be looking to continue that success here.

Ryan Moore – 14% Strike Rate (22 winners)

He divides opinion no doubt, but Ryan Moore is the best jockey riding at present and it was a given that he’d feature on this list. This year alone he has won 10 Group 1 contests. Pressure doesn’t affect Moore and you can be guaranteed that he’ll be on his best form as always next week.

Daniel Tudhope – 12% Strike Rate (26 winners)

Speaking of reliable, Danny Tudhope continues in fine form this season and is almost certain to have an abundance of rides at the Festival next week. A two time Group 1 winning jockey, he has proven his talent time and time again. He is the main rider for David O’Meara which means you can be sure he’ll be picking up at least one of the handicaps during the week at a track he rides his best at.

Phillip Makin – 11% Strike Rate (17 winners)

Although he doesn’t pop up often on the pattern stage, Makin doesn’t get the credit he deserves as he is perhaps lost in the ruck. With 30 rides in the past two weeks alone when writing this, he’s trusted by many trainers who use his services regularly and the Knavesmire seems to bring the best out of him, as he can boast a good strike rate despite a large number of rides in the past five years.

Paul Hanagan – 9% Strike Rate (18 winners)

Another jockey who firmly divides opinion, it’s again hard to argue that Hanagan isn’t one of the best jockey’s riding at present. The former Hamdan Al Maktoum retained rider has been finding his feet again this season and continues with a huge amount of rides, with 59 in the past two weeks alone, so he looks set to have plenty of opportunities next week.

Every race will be shown live on ITV – get our ITV racing tips here