From last to first! Billy Loughnane produces Beylerbeyi to perfection in Cesarewitch

Beylerbeyi: stayed on best to land the Cesarewitch at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

The rise of teenage sensation Billy Loughnane continued as he added another notable success to his CV, coming from last to first to win the Cesarewitch aboard 7-1 shot Beylerbeyi.

Trained by Ian Williams, the five-year-old had not raced beyond 1m6f but shaped as though the step up in trip would suit – and it certainly did.

The gelding was keen on the way to post, giving Loughnane a difficult time in the saddle, and was slowly away.

“We went early [to the start] to try to keep a lid on him,” said Loughnane. “He worked me hard going down and bit his tongue, but it didn’t stop him. All he’s done this year is improve.

“The only slight doubt was whether he’d stay the trip, but he’s done that really well – it was a lovely performance.”

Champion apprentice in 2023 Loughnane, 19, has already had a Group 1 win this year and continues to draw praise from leading figures in the weighing room, with Oisin Murphy predicting last month that "he might be one of the youngest champion jockeys we’ve ever had”.

Loughnane, who was cheered into the winner’s enclosure by a sizeable Newmarket crowd, said: “The big handicaps are always great to win. It’s brilliant to get a big winner for Ian as well.”

Williams is no stranger to big staying handicaps, having twice landed the Chester Cup, and this represented his richest prize since his most recent success in that race in 2018.

It has been a long journey for Beylerbeyi, who began his career as a sprinter in France before joining Williams in November 2023, and the trainer was full of praise afterwards.

He said: “It’s been a long road to get here – it’s taken two years to teach him how to settle. I wasn’t sure I’d be winning the Cesarewitch this morning, let alone when we first got him.

“He’s always wanted further, but he’s so hard on himself. However, he galloped through the line strongly today and it was an exceptional performance from Billy.

“Ultimately, he’s exceptionally talented. To do what he’s done today is extraordinary – he was dragged to the back and has come from last to win a competitive race over a stiff trip. That takes some doing.

“He’s got masses of ability. If you could pop him out and sit fourth or fifth, imagine what he could do? He has a huge motor but uses too much petrol early on."

The victory ended a three-year winning streak for Irish-based trainers, who again had several strong contenders. The Joseph O’Brien-trained Dawn Rising hit the front a furlong out but was overhauled late on to finish second, a length and a quarter behind the winner.

He was followed home by the well-backed, Willie Mullins-trained Bunting, who was supported from 9-1 into 5-1 and ran on to claim third under William Buick after clipping heels mid-race.

The early running was made by 7-2 favourite Reverend Hubert, who faded in the closing stages to finish fifth.

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