Foley, Gainford and Fitzgerald - three young tyros who have lit up the season

Three rising stars of the Irish jumps scene have lit up the conditional jockeys' ranks this term, a situation that is epitomised by Jordan Gainford's sublime exhibition aboard Hewick in Saturday's bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

He has reinforced the promise he showed in abundance last term, although he cannot win the young riders' championship, which will be decided at Punchestown this week. Having ridden out his claim, Gainford's subsequent wins don't count towards the conditionals' title, so he is in the clubhouse on 42 wins.

Jack Foley leads the championship standings on 43, with Shane Fitzgerald in hot pursuit on 40.

With an array of races to be won between now and Saturday, it looks like being a gripping duel, and Gainford will doubtless feature prominently during the week as well due to his association with Gordon Elliott.

Darragh O'Keeffe holds the record for most wins in a season by a conditional with a total of 45 achieved in 2020. Foley and Fitzgerald could rattle that total if things go their way.

Here we profile a trio who have carried all before them through the 2021-2022 campaign.

Jack Foley

Jack Foley and Bell Ex One (nearside) jump ahead of Calvados and Shane FitzgeraldCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Age 23

Hometown Ballyloughan, County Carlow

Winners 43

Attached to Willie Mullins

Having had only two wins in the last campaign, Jack Foley is enjoying a season to remember.

After learning his trade with Tom Mullins and having a stint with Nicky Henderson, Foley has become one of the leading figures on the conditionals' scene over the past 12 months, and the trust in the young man has certainly paid dividends.

Now based at Closutton under the watchful eye of champion trainer Willie Mullins, Foley has made his bid for championship glory with the backing of the most powerful stable in Ireland.

“It’s a great position to be in," said Foley. "I’ve had lots of great support throughout the season from loads of different trainers, and obviously Willie has been a great part of it. He’s given me loads of great opportunities and I’ve got to ride some really nice horses for him, as well as for other people.

“When myself, Ruby Walsh and David Casey spoke to Willie about having a live chance of the title around Christmas time, he was all for it and he was very supportive all the way through. He has been a great help and has put me on some great horses."

Foley is only two wins away from equalling Darragh O’Keeffe’s record and the prospect of setting a new mark excites him. Nonetheless, he insists the initial task at hand is paramount.

He said: “Obviously we need plenty of luck. I need three more winners to set a new record. That would be special. But getting across the line in front is most important.

"We set out with the plan to go for the championship, that was the target, but there would be no holding back if I could set a record.

“My agent Gary Cribbin, Ruby and David, as well as Willie, have been a great help to me and I’d love to get over the line for them.”

Jordan Gainford

Jordan Gainford and The Shunter jump the last en route to Cheltenham gloryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Age 21

Hometown Kiltealy, County Wexford

Winners 42

Attached to Gordon Elliott

While many were locked up at home in the midst of the Covid pandemic, Jordan Gainford was riding out of his skin. The young Wexford man’s plans to turn professional were accelerated by the interrupted point-to-point season in 2020-21.

He shot straight out of the traps, winning on his first two rides as a conditional aboard Gordon Elliott’s Fierami at Navan and Colin Bowe’s Mt Leinster Gold at Fairyhouse 24 hours later.

His remarkable start in the paid ranks was crowned when he guided The Shunter to Cheltenham Festival glory and the 21-year-old added another landmark success in Saturday's bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown aboard the John 'Shark' Hanlon-trained Hewick.

He said: "It's marvellous. This time last year I didn't think I was going to be where I am but I've had great support.

"Gordon Elliott has been a great help. I remember going up to him three summers ago for a week and he told me to call up after speaking to Colin Bowe. I went back to him the following summer again and I stepped in there then.

"Since I've joined him, he has taught me so much about everything, be it schooling, riding work or race-riding. He has taken me everywhere. I can’t thank him enough."

Gainford added: "It was unbelievable to get a winner like Hewick at Sandown. I probably didn't even really know how big a deal it was until afterwards when I had calls from Gordon and Davy Russell congratulating me. It was great to get the chance to go over there for one ride that works out like that.

"Shark does a brilliant job, regardless of whether they're cheap or expensive horses. Things didn't go to plan when a loose horse got in our way at Uttoxeter, but Shark knew he wanted to have a go at Sandown afterwards. Thankfully it worked out very well."

Shane Fitzgerald

Shane Fitzgerald and Assemble on the way to winning the Kerry NationalCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Age 24

Hometown Buttevant, County Cork

Winners 40

Attached to Freelance

If the conditionals' championship was decided on prize-money, Fitzgerald would have it wrapped up.

The Cork man is having a tremendous season, with his Kerry National victory on Assemble a domestic highlight, while he enjoyed his first Cheltenham Festival success on Commander Of Fleet in the Coral Cup.

It is some going considering he rode his first winner only 13 months ago, when steering the Harley Dunne-trained Pull Again Green to victory at Wexford.

The 24-year-old said: “It’s great to be in a position to get the chances. It’s been a savage season. I wasn’t expecting to ride half the winners I have."

Asked if he can bridge the three-winner gap to Foley, he quipped: “Is he only three in front of me? I thought I was more behind!”

He might have been one closer had Grange Walk stayed on his feet two-out at Fairyhouse last Monday.

Fitzgerald said: “I don’t think he would have come off the bridle. He was absolutely cantering. That was a disaster."

While the prospect of a championship lingers, he would not, however, swap his maiden Cheltenham success for it.

“That was unreal," he said. "It’s indescribable, the buzz that day. It’s hard to put those sort of days into words.”

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