Research Corner – Jockey in Focus – Gavin Sheehan
This time around we are going to take a close look at a jockey who in recent times has been building an impressive profile.
Gavin Sheehan was born in Dunmanway, West Cork on June 23, 1992, and graduated from the pony racing circuit to become amateur rider to Co. Limerick trainer Michael Hourigan, with whom he spent 18 months.
Following that stint he moved to Co. Cork handler John Joseph Murphy, for whom, as an 18-year-old apprentice, he rode his first winner under Rules, Whatsabillion, in a handicap hurdle at Thurles on February 24, 2011.
Following a period on the sidelines due to injury, he travelled across from Ireland to join the now-retired Charlie Mann in Upper Lambourn, near Hungerford, Berkshire.
Sheehan quickly established himself and the winners on British soil began to flow.
In the 2013/14 season he rode 50 winners in Britain on route to the apprentices’ title, and has ridden 50 or more winners in every season, bar one, since.
Sheehan has set himself a number of personal challenges such as winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup or the Grand National or riding 100 winners in a season.
The latter was achieved in the last jumps campaign when he rode 106 winners coupled with a 19% Strike Rate.
In recent times he has achieved a series of high-profile successes such as Datsalrightgino, trained by Jamie Snowden, in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, Fugitif, trained by Richard Hobson, in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham, Hewick, trained by John Jospeh Hanlon, in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park and Colonel Harry, also trained by Snowden, in the Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.
Let’s take a look at his record during the most recent 5 year period.
As you can see from the above Table the winning strike rate is trending upwards along with an impressive Profit from blinding backing his rides.
Based in Lambourn and currently stable jockey to Jamie Snowdon, you would expect the majority of his winning rides to come from that source, but let’s see which other yards have been fruitful over the most recent 5 year period.
Clearly, he will ride for his retained yard when required but when he takes an outside ride, we should take note especially if he is riding for Billy Aprahamian, Kieren Burke, Richard Hobson, Alan King, Katy Price, Oliver Signy, Archie Watson and Venetia Williams.
As we can from the below data this could be a fruitful punting activity going forwards.
Back the runners trained by Billy Aprahamian, Kieren Burke, Richard Hobson, Alan King, Katy Price, Oliver Signy, Archie Watson and Venetia Williams when they are ridden by Gavin Sheehan.
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