Who is stable jockey to Keith Dalgleish?

Mark Johnston, the most prolific trainer in the history of British horse racing, once said that Keith Dalgleish was ‘way, way ahead’ of any apprentice he’d had in the past. He added that he hoped Dalgleish would ‘ride out his claim with me and then stay on to make his future here.’ Dalgleish did just that but, after five bright, but brief, seasons, he was forced to concede defeat in the battle with his weight and retired in 2004, at the age of just 21. Dalgleish subsequently became assistant trainer to Noel Wilson at Belstane Racing Stables in Carluke, South Lanarkshire and took over the yard, at the behest of owner Gordon McDowall, when Wilson left in 2011.

As far as a stable jockey is concerned, at the start of 2021, Dalgleish committed himself, 100%, to Callum Rodriguez and vice versa. Rodriguez, who turned 24 in May, 2021, served his apprenticeship with Richard Ford and Michael Dodds, riding out his claim on Mustaqbal, trained by Dods, at Carlisle in September, 2018. Interestingly, he had previously been described as ‘one of the apprentice finds of the season’ after winning the Ebor Handicap at York on Nakeeta, trained by Iain Jardine, as a 5lb claimer, in August, 2017.

Dalgleish and Rodriguez are enjoying a productive campaign in 2021. Dalgleish has already equalled his highest ever seasonal tally on the Flat, 86 winners, and Rodriguez has ridden 51 winners for the yard, including Volatile Analyst in the £100,000 Coral Sprint Trophy at York in October.