'It's all very exciting' - rising apprentice star prepares for Australia trip

Footballer-turned-jockey Christian Howarth has bagged a second successive victory in the BHA Racing Excellence Series for rising stars of the saddle after being crowned winner of the Apprentice Training Series for 2022.

Under a year after landing the Racing Excellence All-Weather Hands and Heels series for 2021-22, the 20-year-old jockey followed up when beating Jonny Peate in the eight-race series, which concluded on the final day of the Flat at Doncaster last month.

After riding six winners last year, Howarth added 30 to his tally through 2022, including a win in the Apprentice Training Series at Nottingham in June.

Several placed efforts helped towards his winning tally of 57 points with other points being awarded for professionalism, presentation and taking part in the pre-race course walk.

Christian Howarth comes in on the Alice Haynes-trained Dance Havana at Yarmouth

Howarth also picked up an award for winning the Haydock Park Apprentice Training Series which runs parallel to the main series with two wins across five races staged at the Merseyside track between May and August.

Howarth's total of 40 points in this series was enough to see him home one point ahead of William Pyle.

Howarth, who is apprenticed to Henry Spiller, will take up a winter stint riding trackwork in Australia with his girlfriend Morgan Cole, who is attached to fellow Newmarket trainer Marco Botti.

Howarth, who was once on Cambridge United's books, said: "It was great to get both awards, which just sort of sprang from having lots of rides in apprentice races for which all the credit goes to my agent Adam Brook.

"Henry and Alice Haynes have supported me most, so a big thank-you must go to them."

Previously attached to Marco Botti, Howarth made the short move to the Spiller yard at Sackville House stables in the summer.

As well as two trophies, Howarth picked up two prizes of £1,000 in riding gear to spend and has made a hole in it already with his winter trip on the horizon.

He said: "I bought riding-out stuff for Morgan and myself and we both fly out to Australia on New Year's Day. Henry's wife Niamh sorted it as she is best friends with Annie Alexander, who trains close to Melbourne.

"We're going to ride trackwork for two months, so it's all very exciting. It's my first overseas riding venture and I can't wait to get over there."

Howarth claims 5lb and rode 17 winners during the season proper, including for Godolphin, and is not ruling out a crack at the apprentice title in 2023.

He said: "I will go for the apprentice title next year but everyone does. It was competitive last year and it will be again if Harry Davies has another crack at it. All I can do is just improve my riding and keep putting myself about."

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