A WEEK to remember for Joseph O’Brien at Royal Ascot also provided the highpoint of a season to remember for jockey Joey Sheridan.

Even if he returned as one of the outsiders at 25/1, his breakthrough win at the Royal Meeting aboard Kizlyar in the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday was certainly popular among the visiting party. It capped a period of real resurgence for the 24-year-old.

While much has been expected from Sheridan ever since he emerged from the pony racing scene with more than 50 winners - becoming a Group 1-winning jockey through his partnership with Princess Zoe at the age of 18 in 2020 - it is only two years since he registered just seven flat winners in an Irish season by the middle of June.

Fast forward to 2026 and Sheridan currently sits fourth in the Irish flat jockeys’ championship on 24 winners, including 12 victories from a red-hot April, when Dylan Browne McMonagle was on the sidelines through injury.

Denis Hogan has played a key role in the Hollyford, Co Tipperary rider’s success, supplying him with 81 winners under rules - and his very first aboard Eastern Racer at Dundalk back in April 2019. There was a warm embrace between the pair in the Ascot winner’s enclosure after Kizlyar emerged on top in a brave battle with stablemate Defiantly, even with Sheridan’s stick getting caught up in nearest rival, James Doyle.

“Joey deserves to be on the big stage and I’m so delighted for him,” says Hogan.

“He was always a natural, talented rider from the word go. The very first time I saw him sitting up on a horse, just doing a canter, I thought to myself that I was looking at a possible champion apprentice.

“He was always good, but in the last two years, I think he’s really matured. He’s matured as a jockey and a person - he’s the finished article now and a very determined worker. I know he really wants it.

“For a while there, I thought he was going to end up in the UK. You know what? He backed himself, because he knew he was good enough to do what he wanted here, and that he wouldn’t need to travel to find success. He believed in himself and that’s standing to him now.

“He deserves every success he’s getting in the last while. He was unlucky not to be there in a big one on Sceptical for us a few years back, and it’s great to see him making the most of his opportunities now.”

Picture perfect

There was also a hearty welcome under the number-one spot between Sheridan and Pat Healy, whose Healy Racing is the Prix du Cadran-winning jockey’s sponsor.

“Joey is a pure gent and a hard worker too,” says Healy.

“He’s not hanging around Ascot for the whole week; he’s headed back home to go riding out on the Hill in Joseph’s on Thursday morning and then on to Leopardstown for a book of rides. It tells you that he realises the operation he’s in, and the effort he has to put in.

“Without this opening with the Joseph O’Brien stable, he’d probably have had to go to England like plenty of young fellas from Ireland, but he’s grabbed that chance with both hands. He’s well able for it and I’m delighted for him.”

Healy adds: “We first met Joey when he was in the pony racing game. He’s fantastic friends with my nephew Sean [Healy].

“From our point of view, we wanted to put a little something back into the game and decided to sponsor Joey and Brian Dunleavy, who was riding in pony racing. Joey is on the flat and Brian is riding winners in point-to-points, so it’s lovely to be following how their careers are blossoming.

“All these riders have goals of otheir own and I think it’s great for the Irish jockey colony to see any of the lads ride a winner over here this week. This place is the pinnacle.

“We all love following these guys from their pony racing days into the big arena as men, making a success of it. That’s what it’s all about.

“Thank God, the majority of them don’t change. They’re still the same kids, they will all make you up, do you a favour if they can, and Joey is top of the pile. A great kid, who we’re thrilled for.”