Rookie George Rooke salutes mentor Hughes following 'unbelievable' four-timer

Apprentice George Rooke's right to claim 7lbs was last night at the centre of a BHA investigation following his day to remember on Wednesday when he partnered an across the card four-timer at Southwell and Kempton .

Rooke could suffer all four winners Mukha Magic, Queen Of All, Light Lily at Southwell and Hieronymous at Kempton being disqualified as it has come to light that the youngster rode three winners in Jersey last summer.

As a result of those winners Rooke's 7lb claim should have expired three days after he rode his 20th career victory on February 20th. He had two rides at Newcastle on Thursday where his claim had been reduced to 5lb.

The BHA's head of media relations Robin Mounsey last night would not be drawn on the matter issuing a statement declaring that the BHA does not comment on investigations or speculation surrounding potential investigations.

Rooke and his boss Richard Hughes also declined to comment on the matter with the trainer saying: "Myself and George will not be commenting on the matter until we have the full facts in front of us."

Earlier Rooke had described the four winners as a dream come true but insisted he was determined to keep his feet firmly on the ground.

The afternoon shift at Southwell produced three victories with Mukha Magic leading the way and that success was closely followed by Queen Of All and Light Lily.Rooke then left the Nottinghamshire course and made the journey south to Kempton where he completed the four-timer aboard the George Baker-trained Hieronymous .

Rooke said: “It’s something young jockeys like myself can only dream about but now it has happened I can barely believe what I have achieved. I knew I had a good book of rides and a double would have sufficed – but four on the day, it’s unbelievable.

“I'm going to pinch myself and keep my head down and my feet firmly on the ground. Richard [Hughes] has been so good to me and I have so much to thank him for. He's a rock as far as I'm concerned because he offers such good advice.”

The four winners now mean that Rooke has lost the right to claim 7lb and he added: “I'm not worried about being down to a 5lb claim as trainers tend to stick with you and it may open more doors as I can do slightly lower weights. We shall have to wait and see what comes next.”

Richard Hughes: apprentices Angus Villiers, George Rooke and Tyler Heard are based with the Lambourn trainerCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Former champion jockey Hughes has earned a reputation as being something of a father figure to apprentices in his care as the up and coming Angus Villiers is based with him as well as Rooke and Tyler Heard, who partnered his first winner under rules last week.

Hughes said: “George is a hard worker who rides well and fully deserves all the winners that come his way. I was particularly excited to see him ride the four winners as not many senior riders have done that, let alone apprentices.”

Hughes also had news of Villiers, who many pundits believe is potentially destined for the top. He said: “Angus has just returned from a winter working in America as I did not want him to ride out his claim on the all-weather and then be forgotten. The plan is for him to be back when the turf season gets going in a month or so.”

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