The Eclipse Award for leading Apprentice Jockey went to Axel Concepcion. The 18-year-old Puerto Rican led apprentice riders in both wins and earnings having ridden the winners of 199 races and earners of $5,179,154. He was also the leading rider at Laurel Park's spring meeting.

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Buick, a three-time runner-up (2015, '21 and '21), secured 157 winners, 67 clear of Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand, his nearest pursuers for the title. A former champion apprentice, a title he shared with David Probert in 2008, the 34-year-old has been the retained rider for Godolphin since 2015.

Buick said, “18-year-old me would say what's taken you so long. It is great and personally it's something I've really wanted to achieve for quite a long time and obviously it's taken me a few years, but it's fantastic.

“My father was an eight-time Champion Jockey in Scandinavia so it's great to be able to achieve it and I feel I've achieved it in the way that I would like to do it–to balance it with the big races, the big meetings, my main employer Godolphin, making sure that's at the forefront of my focus.

“It's very satisfying and, when every jockey starts out, that's what you want to achieve–you want to win the Derby and you want to become Champion Jockey.”

He added, “You can never expect it to go as it has. You can only hope and work towards it, but you can never expect it, so it's great and there's a lot of people involved in it all.

“It's hard work, it's every day and every race and everything that comes with it, but I've loved every minute of it. When it's going well and you're riding winners, riding nice horses, you're at the big meetings, when it goes like that it's great, there is no

This was Godolphin's 15th owner title, and their runners banked over £6 million. Some of the highlights were the late Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) running one-two in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, with the latter also taking the Irish equivalent later that spring. Also, the leading owner at Royal Ascot, the royal blue was carried to victory in five races at that iconic meeting, among them Coroebus's score in the G1 St James's Palace S. and Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) landing the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. The operation also enjoyed success with its juveniles, led by G2 Gimcrack S. hero Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and other group wins by Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Hugh Anderson, Managing Director of Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said, “Godolphin is immensely proud to receive the Champion Owner trophy at Ascot on such a prestigious day for our sport.

“It has been another season of great excitement with numerous wins at the highest level and I must pay tribute in particular to Charlie Appleby and the team at Moulton Paddocks who have led the charge. Saeed bin Suroor and John and Thady Gosden have also made a big contribution to a season that has showcased our homebreds and our stallions.

“Thank you to every single Godolphin employee, all of whom have played their part. Our greatest thanks must of course go to our principal, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, for his endless loyalty, enthusiasm and passion for the Thoroughbred.

“Finally, it is a particular thrill to collect this trophy alongside William Buick. He is at the very sharp end of Team Godolphin and all of us congratulate him on his outstanding horsemanship, determination, bravery and skill. He is a Champion Jockey for a Champion Owner, and we could not be more delighted to end the UK season on such a high note.”

Receiving the Champion Apprentice title was Benoit de la Sayette, who fought off a determined Harry Davies in the closing weeks of the Flat season. The first apprentice jockey to be added to John Gosden's books for 29 years in 2020, he rode his first winner that December. Formerly a pony racing graduate, he was banned for six months after testing positive for cocaine, but his career rebounded in 2022.

De La Sayette said, “I am thrilled to win the Champion Apprentice title. It has felt like such an amazing season, and I've really enjoyed the battle with Harry [Davies]. I wish him all the very best for the future and hope we're riding against each other for many years to come.

“There have been plenty of highlights, starting with Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May. I was also lucky enough to ride a winner at the July Festival [Adjuvant (Ire) (New Bay {GB})] and have victories at Glorious Goodwood. At the start of this month, I rode my first-ever three-timer and that was another day I'll never forget.

“None of those moments–or the other winners I've had– would've been possible without the fantastic support I've received from so many owners and trainers throughout the year. I'm especially grateful to John and Thady Gosden, as well as the whole Clarehaven team. I have learnt so much from the amazing team there.

“The input and advice from my agent Paul Clarke has been so valuable as well. He has worked tirelessly to get me opportunities. I'd also like to thank the PJA [Professional Jockeys' Association] for all their ongoing support.

“Last but not least is my family. I want to say a big thank-you to all of them, especially my mum and dad for everything they do…this one's for them.”

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“I’m incredibly proud to have won a second champion jockey title and I’m extremely thankful for the team around me that have enabled me to do so–my agent, manager, driver, form-man, and family,” Murphy told Great British Racing. “It’s huge to win two jockeys’ championships in two years and beyond my wildest dreams. I tried my absolute best to do so and thank you to everyone who has helped along the way.

“I’m particularly proud of my strike rate for Andrew Balding. Sheikh Fahad allowed me to go wherever I wanted to and for that I must thank him and all the team at Qatar Racing too.”

Cieren Fallon won his second consecutive champion apprentice jockey title. It was the first time an apprentice earned back-to-back titles in 32 years. Fallon’s highlight was undoubtably Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}) in the G1 July Cup. Fallon is the retained second jockey for Qatar Racing.

“It’s an amazing achievement for me, it is something I set out to do after the success of last year,” said Fallon. “I’ve been very lucky to have the people I have around me to help me achieve these goals–my jockey coach, nutritionist, a great boss in Sheikh Fahad, William and Maureen Haggas, my mum and dad.

“They are all the best at what they do, so I’m very lucky to be in the position. Winning the July Cup with Oxted is obviously the greatest highlight of my year and a memorable day.”

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Murphy told Sky Sports Racing: “I ride for great people, and it’s really nice to get my 1,000th in these colours. The filly is in the sale on Thursday, so it’s a good moment. When you start out as an apprentice you hope to just get one winner–hopefully I can ride 1,000 more in the future. I ride good horses all over the world–I’m very privileged and I have to remember that.”

The Kitten’s Joy colt, who is bound for a stallion career at Tweenhills Farm & Stud after a start in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 7, galloped at Kempton on Tuesday.

“We’ve been so lucky to find good horses over the years,” he added. “Roaring Lion (Kitten’s Joy) was a champion, as is Kameko, but to replace them isn’t easy–so we keep trying. To win my first Classic on Kameko was great–growing up as a child you watch all the Classics, and that was very special.

“Kameko heads to the Breeders’ Cup, and we took him to Kempton this morning and we went round left-handed so he could get used to that.”

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“The one-meeting restriction, brought in by the BHA, means we need to expand our team; Sheikh Fahad and I are thrilled that Cieren is joining as second jockey–he will be a huge asset,” said David Redvers, Racing Manager of Qatar Racing. “Sheikh Fahad has been watching Cieren from the outset of his career and has been very impressed by his riding under the tutelage of William Haggas. He has an incredibly calm demeanour for his age, an intuitive riding style and is very level-headed.”

Added Fallon, who is the son of multiple champion jockey Kieren Fallon, “I feel hugely honoured to be joining the Qatar Racing team and am very thankful for those who have supported me to date. I am looking forward to what will hopefully be a very successful partnership.”

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