WATSON ON WAY TO TOP
JASON WATSON will be crowned champion apprentice at Ascot tomorrow.
The teenage riding sensation will recieve the Stobart Apprentice Championship trophy, following in the footsteps of the likes of Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Oisin Murphy.
Watson has secured 76 victories to date, 23 winners more than Rossa Ryan, his nearest rival.
“At the start of the year I didn’t even think I would lose my 7lb claim to be honest,” said Watson.
“So to now be crowned Stobart Champion Apprentice is brilliant.
“I’ve always had my career planned out. Being champion apprentice has always been part of that plan, so to accomplish it is very important to me.”
Watson’s stand-out win this year came on Gifted Master in the Unibet Stewards’ Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
“I thought I had won but I wasn’t sure,” said the teenager. “I actually couldn’t hear the announcement so it wasn’t until I was cantering back and saw the lads running towards me celebrating, that I realised I had won.
“It was obviously a massive win for my CV, but all of my wins have added up to being crowned champion apprentice. All are just as important as each other.”
Reflecting on his relationship with his boss, Andrew Balding, Watson said: “To know that he trusts me to ride for him is great and it’s been a good education.
“Oisin (Murphy) and William (Buick) were both with Mr Balding, so it is great to now be a part of that line.”
Of his 76 wins that count towards the title, 21 have come at Brighton, the track Watson calls ‘home’.
“I rode my first treble there,” he said. “Mum and dad religiously go there every meeting, and it feels like I’m going home.”
Brighton is Ryan Moore’s home track, too, and look where he has finished up.
Maybe Watson will reach similar heights and become a go-to jockey for Group One races worldwide.