The new format of the Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship means that the competition now runs from 2 May 2015 (QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day) until Saturday 17 October 2015 (QIPCO British Champions' Day).
There was a lot of fanfare at the start of the season about the revamped format with Stobart carrying the names of various jockeys in a launch at Ascot racecourse.
Stobart lorry launch at Ascot
https://vimeo.com/126433596
But as the season has gone on, interest in the title has not been sparked. Injury to Ryan Moore and the mid-season retirement of Richard Hughes have not helped the situation.
At the launch Hughes was quoted as saying some PR guff: “I have made it clear from the start that I
won’t be giving up my title without a fight and will doing my best to win it for a fourth and final time. I have backed the new format since it was first announced and we are grateful to Stobart for their sponsorship and support.”
This was all true until something more important came along - i.e. retiring to start a training career mid-season.
As August comes to a close the leader in the race is Silvestre De Sousa - whose name was not on one of the launch lorries, too long perhaps? - who has reached 100 winners from 489 rides. 28 wins behind in second place are William Buick and Paul Hanagan.
If the general public were asked to name the current top 3 riders in the jockeys championship, not many respondents would be able to name any, even if they were racing fans.
The jockey most people would guess, Frankie Dettori, is not even in the top 20. But he does lead the list if the championship were measured by total prize money. Dettori has amassed nearly GB£ 3.5 million in prize money, some way ahead of De Sousa's GB£ 1.6 million.
Stobart is the sponsor on a one-year deal. The choice to take up the option to extend the association or not will be revealing as to the value the company places on the new format.
Stobart Jockeys Championship (as at 31 Aug 2015)
1. Silvestre De Sousa (100 wins)
2.= William Buick (72)
2.= Paul Hanagan (72)
4. Luke Morris (68)
5. James Doyle (66)
