Boughey beams with pride seeing Loughnane and Callan pick up titles

George Boughey will be a proud observer when he sees Billy Loughnane and Jack Callan pick up their respective titles at Ascot on Saturday.

While he will not be represented on British Champions Day, it has been another excellent campaign for the one of the rising stars of the training ranks, with his now-retired unbeaten superstar Bow Echo, Royal Ascot-winning two-year-old Libertango and American Grade One winner Survie all flying the Boughey flag with distinction.

It is also a significant accomplishment that he has not only provided his stable jockey Loughnane with the majority of the winners that will see him crowned British champion for the first time, but also nurtured the burgeoning career of Callan, who will this weekend be given the trophy for champion apprentice.

With Jack’s younger brother Henry Callan also a key part of the Boughey team and soon to be named champion Flat amateur, the Craven House handler can reflect on a remarkable hat-trick for his operation.

“It’s something that we set out to do at the start of the year and the boys have been very disciplined with suspension and injury and huge credit must go to them more than anything, along with their agent Tony Hind, who has been the mastermind behind so many brilliant jockeys,” Boughey told the Press Association.

“I genuinely thought all three could do it and it takes some meticulous planning. Billy goes one way and Jack goes the other, whether that’s for me or other people. I never really like to have Jack and Billy at the same meeting – it doesn’t really make sense to do that.

“Having the flexibility to ride for the right people when it’s right I think has enabled them to ride more winners than they would have done otherwise.”

While Loughnane inevitably makes most of the headlines, Boughey is keen to praise both Callan brothers for their efforts this season.

“I thought if Jack stayed suspension and injury free he was in pole position to be champion apprentice and huge credit to him. As much as Billy is the shining star, it’s not lost on me what a brilliant job Jack has done as well,” the trainer continued.

“He was riding as an amateur only 18 months ago and I was very keen that he saw out his education. He’s got A-levels in Maths, Economics and Biology and is a very bright young guy – he’s a far better educated person than I am anyway!

“Henry is very tall and unfortunately he’s just the wrong side of the scales. He deserves a real mention as he’s just snapped into race-riding and to be as tactically aware as he is, it actually blows my mind.

“It’s such a shame that he can’t do lighter weights because he would be the next one on the rank. His strike-rate speaks for itself, he’s the most in demand amateur jockey and to pick it up so quickly is amazing really.

“I’m thrilled for all three of them, they are three great young men who I’m sure will continue to flourish in our game.”

Looking ahead to next year, Boughey expects Loughnane to put up a staunch defence of his title and understudy Callan to continue to go from strength to strength.

Boughey added: “I think fundamentally Billy is the consummate professional and he understands that to be at the top of the game, riding as much as he does keeps him as sharp as he can possibly be.

“We’ve got the winter to get behind us, hopefully he can try and enjoy it a little bit, but when we get to January 1 he’ll be rocking and rolling again I’d say.”

Callan has already expressed it is his dream to one day become a fully-fledged champion himself. Boughey concluded: “Everyone has to have those sort of ambitions and he’s in the right place with his agent.

“He’s got a lot of support and the best way to make sure you’re champion apprentice is to make sure you’re riding for everyone else. Support when you lose your claim is as important as when you have it.

“He enjoys riding for us where possible, but if he can get a better ride for someone else I’d much rather he was riding for another trainer, and it’s the same with Billy.”