Lethal Kirby up rails in Series jockey rankings

Lethal Force stamps himself as one of the leading sprinters on the planet in Saturday’s July Cup. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

Lethal Force’s impressive victory in the Darley July Cup last weekend at Newmarket, amongst others, has resulted in significant changes in the updated QIPCO British Champions Series Leading Jockeys’ and Trainers’ Rankings.

Adam Kirby, who rode his second QIPCO British Champions Series Group 1 victory in the space of three weeks on the Clive Cox-trained four-year-old, has moved level-second on 55 points. Kirby joins last year’s winner Joseph O’Brien in the runner-up spot, but the Irish rider could pull clear in the next fortnight as he goes in to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes with a lively chance on antepost favourite St Nicholas Abbey.

However, despite their efforts, Richard Hughes is still in a commanding position at the top of the table with 80 points, 25 points clear of his rivals.

Last week’s narrow defeat in the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes for Sky Lantern to Elusive Kate did not deter Hughes’s ranking and in fact allowed him to extend his lead. The winning-rider on board John Gosden’s Elusive Kate in the Falmouth Stakes was William Buick, who has moved up to 50 points alongside in-form jockey Ryan Moore. Although, by virtue of one more victory, Moore lies fourth, while Buick is in fifth.

As for the Trainers’ Rankings, Aidan O’Brien continues to lead the proceedings with 80 points.

The 43-year-old handler will be hoping to add to his advantage in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes next week. O’Brien could potentially saddle five good chances, including Mars, Battle Of Marengo and St Nicholas Abbey.

In second position is Richard Hannon on 65 points. The Wiltshire-based trainer will be hoping that Toronado can overcome his arch rival Dawn Approach in the Sussex Stakes to ensure that Hannon can close the gap on the leader. In a current distant third is Cox on 45 points, while John Gosden, Roger Charlton and Jim Bolger all lie on a mark of 40.

The next QIPCO British Champions Series race is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on 27^th July at Ascot.