Group 1 winning jockey Hector Crouch is back to look at the 2025 campaign and is already looking forward to the 2026 campaign. Read his exclusive thoughts with kwiff.
Hector Crouch: Year in Review 2025
It’s been a good year numbers-wise, with me nearing the 100 mark and getting with a few days to spare last year, whilst comparatively we hit that the week before York’s Ebor Meeting in August.
Hector Crouch Year in Review: Highs
The biggest achievement would undoubtedly be the number of winners. It is so difficult to just get rides these days, especially at the bigger meetings, let alone winners so 153 and counting is a strong achievement. I’m hopefully not done yet and will be riding out until the end of years looking to send a good total for the year. Only three jockeys have ridden more winners this year than me (Billy Loughnane, Oisin Murphy and Rossa Ryan) which is quite the achievement in such a competitive sport.
Hector Crouch Year in Review: Lows
As good as the volume has been, the quality of winners has been somewhat disappointing. With just 3 stakes winners all season. That’s down considerably from the year prior, and something we can make amends of next season. There were a couple of near-misses and hopefully lady luck can balance it out for the 2026 campaign.
Hector Crouch Year in Review: Goals
It’s a very boring and perhaps predictable answer but my only goal is to ride as many winners as possible. I’m fortunate to ride for some very good trainers, and hopefully I can continue to ride as well as I can and continue to ride for such good people and build on already established partnerships. It would be good to get a few more pattern class winners, and a Group 1 would be lovely.
Hector Crouch Year in Review: Horse to Follow
I suppose the obvious one would be Cape Orator, who won two big sales races over in France and wasn’t beating far when third in Group 1 company on his final start of the season. He’s one of a number of nice horses with Valmont to come back next year as a 3yo and hopefully prove something of a contender for next year’s classics.
Please note that the information provided in this Hector Crouch: Saturday Runners article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
