Billy Loughnane threw his goggles towards an ecstatic crowd packed around the winner\u2019s enclosure as he returned after a thrilling, unforgettable success on Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday. He missed, but it was the only mistake he made all day.<\/p>\n
Technically at least, Billy \u201cthe Kid\u201d is still a fair nickname for Bow Echo\u2019s 20-year-old jockey. This, though, was a coming-of-age moment for horse and rider that should see the pair of them graduate to the turf\u2019s established elite.<\/p>\n
Loughnane was brilliant on Bow Echo: cool, confident, patient and then decisive as he extracted the three-year-old from a scrum of horses at the two-furlong pole and launched him down the middle of the track. Ryan Moore and Gstaad, the runner-up behind Bow Echo in the 2,000 Guineas and St James\u2019s Palace Stakes, grabbed a useful lead while his old rival was stuck in traffic, but Loughnane had total confidence in Bow Echo\u2019s finishing speed and they chased him down, amid a huge roar from the stands, with a few strides to spare.<\/p>\n
Bow Echo is now unbeaten in six starts and the first horse since the incomparable Frankel to complete the milers\u2019 triple crown of wins in the 2,000 Guineas, St James\u2019s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes. His jockey, meanwhile, is swiftly becoming the public face of Flat racing \u2013 an heir to Lester and Frankie whose first name is enough, and a showman who enjoys the winning moments every bit as much as his backers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have watched millions of these races back,\u201d Loughnane said of himself and George Boughey, Bow Echo\u2019s trainer, \u201cand we always felt that the closer would almost certainly get up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew there would be plenty of pace. Once I found Ryan\u2019s tail, I was happy enough, but then Christophe [Soumillon, on Puerto Rico] appeared on my outside, so I knew I was going to have a bit of a challenge getting him out. Once he did, he really motored home.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was a tough race for him. There were plenty of runners and we ended up a long way back, but he has got a proper engine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Billy Loughnane on Bow Echo throws his goggles to the crowd as he celebrates in the winner\u2019s enclosure after the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Photograph: Andrew Matthews\/PA<\/p>\n
After a slightly scrambled short-head defeat of Gstaad at Ascot last month, this half-length success, in Bow Echo\u2019s first race in all-aged company, cemented his status as the best miler in Europe, with the strong possibility of further improvement to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has been in a couple of scraps recently and he\u2019s shown fight today,\u201d Boughey said. \u201cHe\u2019s shown his turn of foot and it\u2019s a career-best. A lot went wrong again but he was still able to win, and win well. I know it sounds mad, as he is unbeaten, but he is improving. He is learning to race and learning to get in a scrap.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bow Echo may head to France for his next start, in either the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville or the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp, while his long-term target is the Breeders\u2019 Cup Mile at Keeneland in Kentucky on 31 October.<\/p>\n
For Loughnane, it could be another career high, and on a global stage, at just 20 years of age. \u201cHe is a real showboy, is he not?,\u201d Boughey said. \u201cHe loves it. I was pretty nervous today going into the paddock, and he was just chilled out. He has got an amazing head on young shoulders, he has got every attribute and is the consummate professional.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soul can prove friendly for punters<\/p>\n