Josh Williamson(5)

The number that really stands out, though, is his partnership with trainer Gordon Elliott. From 91 races together, Williamson has ridden 15 winners — a win rate of around 1 in 6, or 16%. That's meaningfully better than his overall average, which tells you Elliott trusts him with horses that have a genuine chance, and that Williamson delivers when given the opportunity. A stable of Elliott's size and reputation doesn't keep putting a jockey up if the results aren't coming.

There is one slight cloud. Last season Williamson was winning at 15%, and this season that has slipped to 11%. One year doesn't make a trend, and the raw numbers — 20 winners from 185 rides — are still a solid return for a rider only three years into his career. But it's the kind of dip he'll be aware of, and one worth watching as the season develops.

One area where he genuinely thrives is when the rain has been down. On wet or muddy ground, Williamson wins at 18% — 5 from 28 races, almost 1 in every 5. Whether that reflects a particular riding style, the type of horses he gets booked for in those conditions, or simply a feel for how to pace a race when the ground is testing, it's a clear pattern. Trainers who pay attention to these things will notice.

At 35 career winners and still only in his third season, Williamson is at exactly the stage where a young jockey either consolidates and pushes on, or finds the opportunities dry up. The Elliott connection gives him a platform most riders his age would envy. The next 12 months will say a lot about which direction this career is heading.