Ben Smith

His most stable working relationship is with trainer R Mike Smith, for whom he has ridden 43 times and won 5 races. That 12 per cent win rate from their partnership sits noticeably above his overall average, which suggests the trainer sees something in him and is prepared to keep using him. In racing, loyalty and consistency matter; horses and trainers stick with jockeys who deliver even small improvements, and Smith's upward trajectory appears to have earned him that confidence.

At two years into a career, doubling your win rate is significant. It means he is reading races better, making smarter tactical decisions, and earning more rides on better-prepared horses — the classic virtues that distinguish a jockey who will stay in the game from one who drifts out. Whether he can sustain this momentum or edge it higher remains to be seen, but the direction is exactly right.