George Wood

The partnership with trainer Richard Spencer is the engine room of his season. Fourteen wins from 119 races together — about 1 in every 8 — tells you this isn't just a casual arrangement. When a trainer keeps putting you up on their horses at that kind of frequency, it means there's genuine trust in the saddle. Spencer's yard clearly rates him, and that kind of stable backing is exactly what helps a young jockey develop quickly.

Wood also has a notable edge when the weather turns. On wet or muddy ground, he has won 5 from 33 races — a 15% win rate, or roughly 1 in every 6. That might sound like a small sample, but in a sport where many jockeys quietly dread a soggy track, having a positive record in those conditions is a real asset. It suggests he adapts well and doesn't lose confidence when the going gets tough.

The headline moment of his career so far came at Redcar, where he landed a Class 1 race — one of the top races in Britain. For a jockey four years in, that is a significant scalp. Most riders go entire careers without winning at that level, so to have one already in the book at Redcar gives him a story to tell and, more importantly, proof that he can handle a big occasion.

At 145 career winners and climbing, Wood is at the stage where the foundations are laid and the question is how high he can build. The numbers suggest someone who turns up, rides consistently, and finds winners across a range of conditions and trainers. That quiet reliability, combined with a big-race win already on his CV, makes him one of the more interesting names to follow over the next few seasons.