A jockey's role will be of huge significance across the five days at Royal Ascot.
As the biggest Flat meeting of the year, it's a chance for each pilot to get showcase their ability, and having the knowledge of Ascot and knowing when to play their hand - something Frankie Dettori was the best at around here.
With no Dettori around, punters will need some allies to go to war with when the heat is on, including some of the following names:
Royal Ascot Leaderboard - Last Five Years
Jockey | W-R | £1 | Betfair SP | A/E |
Ryan Moore | 30-165 | -20 | +9 | 0.99 |
Oisin Murphy | 15-116 | +27 | +53 | 1.29 |
William Buick | 14-140 | -2 | +41 | 0.73 |
James Doyle | 10-116 | -8 | +48 | 0.92 |
Tom Marquand | 7-109 | -51 | -38 | 0.78 |
Daniel Tudhope | 5-78 | +15 | +28 | 1.05 |
Hollie Doyle | 5-83 | +11 | +33 | 1.34 |
Jim Crowley | 4-74 | -56 | -50 | 0.49 |
Rossa Ryan | 4-75 | +111 | +438 | 0.87 |
James McDonald | 4-37 | -15 | -17 | 1.13 |
Colin Keane | 3-62 | -22 | +10 | 0.69 |
Jamie Spencer | 3-69 | +69 | +161 | 0.78 |
Gary Carroll | 3-8 | +48 | +85 | 6.82 |
Sean Levey | 3-56 | -40 | -38 | 0.98 |
Neil Callan | 3-17 | +79 | +93 | 5.56 |
We all know Ryan Moore’s ability at this meeting, and his performances are very much reflected in how Aidan O’Brien’s perform, which we dealt with in the trainer’s chapter.
It’s worth mentioning, though, that Moore did enjoy some success riding for Willie Mullins here (4-12 +£1) and Joseph O’Brien (2-5 +£8).
Oisin Murphy is working his way up the Ascot leaderboard having bagged a memorable five-timer in 2025, which followed a 2024 four-timer, and he continues to offer excellent value for punters via his level stakes profit.
One interesting angle shows Murphy’s effectiveness on the Straight Course when drawn near the stands’ side, which can be advantageous.
Murphy on Straight Course - Drawn in the highest half stalls (3yo+ races):
7 wins from 23 rides & 5 placed (+£38)
Murphy did the business in such races on three occasions in 2025 via Ardestia 10/1 (stall 24), Never So Brave 4/1 (stall 28) & Arabian Story 15/2 (stall 29).
Neil Callan may not be on everyone’s lips come day one of Royal Ascot, but popped up three times during the last five renewals at 20/1, 33/1 & 40/1.
Daniel Tudhope is another pilot to track and struck for Karl Burke (2-11 +33).
Favourites
The jockey punters should have faith with in getting the job done on favourites is William Buick (7-21 +£3), although make sure to follow him on the right course...
Round Course
Buick is not only a man to trust on favourites, but he's very much the best around Ascot’s Round Course, representing terrific value at 12-72 (+£57).
As a simple comparison…
Buick at Royal Ascot (last five years)
Round Course: 12-72 (+£57)
Straight Course: 2-68 (-£59)
Straight Course
We mentioned earlier Oisin Murphy’s on the Straight Course at Royal Ascot, and James Doyle is another to look out for up the famous straight with 8 wins from 65 rides plus 9 placed (+£30).
In fact, his record on the straight in just the last two years alone reads at 6-26 (+£27), with both Lazzat (9/2) and Humidity (4/1) 12 months ago.
Apprentices
Finally, a quick word about the value an apprentice can offer in taking off valuable pounds in the saddle via a generous claim.
In normal circumstances punters can take advantage of siding with such jockeys, but Royal Ascot is a different occasion altogether as the records show they were outridden by the professionals at this level with everything at stake.
3lb:1-59
5lb: 2-45
7lb: 0-13