J M Sheridan

A huge part of that story runs through Denis Gerard Hogan's yard. The partnership has produced 25 wins from 158 rides together — that is wins in 16 of every 100 races they start, or roughly 1 in every 6. In the world of jump and flat racing, where even the very best trainers and jockeys miss far more than they hit, a reliable one-in-six conversion rate across 158 rides together represents a genuine working relationship, built on trust and repetition rather than luck.

There is also a clear pattern on wet ground. When the track is soft or muddy, Sheridan wins 10 times from 34 races — that is 29%, or almost 1 in every 3. For context, the overall season rate is 1 in 8. Something about those conditions — the slower pace, the premium on balance and timing — seems to suit Sheridan's style well. Trainers do notice these things.

Then there is Ascot. One top-level win at one of the most famous racecourses in the world is a career landmark that most jockeys never reach. It is the kind of result that earns a reputation, gets you phone calls, and opens doors. At just four years into the job, Sheridan has already banked that moment. The partnership with Tyson Fury — one win from six races together — may not look flashy on paper, but six shared rides at this level of racing means someone believes in the combination.

Bellewstown is a smaller detail worth noting: 3 winners from 10 rides there suggests a track that genuinely suits. Courses have personalities, and jockeys who read them well tend to keep getting booked at them. At 12% for the season and climbing, Sheridan looks like a jockey right in the middle of figuring out how good they can be.