Newly crowned champion jockey Billy Loughnane has taken another major step forward in his burgeoning career with the announcement that he is to be the new retained jockey for Godolphin.The 20-year-old, who on Friday rode his first winner at the Breeders' Cup aboard Libertango, says that he is “absolutely ecstatic” to be given the opportunity to join William Buick on the Godolphin team. “It is a huge honour to become a retained jockey for one of the best racing operations in the world,” he said. “I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for giving me the opportunity to ride his outstanding horses at the highest possible competitive level. I rode my first Group 1 winner in the royal blue silks on Rebel's Romance last year and I look forward to carrying them to victory in many more top-class races over the coming years.”During a sensational season, Loughnane won a hat-trick of Group 1 races aboard the George Boughey-trained Bow Echo, who has now joined the Darley stallion ranks. These included his first Classic victory in the 2,000 Guineas. He also won the G1 July Cup and G1 Flying Five Stakes on Comanche Brave for former Irish champion jockey-turned-trainer Donnacha O'Brien.Officially named champion jockey for the first time on British Champions Day last month, Loughnane has to date ridden 239 winners in Britain in 2026, beating last year's tally of 223 and reaching a three-figure mark for the fourth consecutive year. He was champion apprentice in 2023, having only ridden for the first time under rules in November 2022.Hugh Anderson of Godolphin said, “Godolphin is delighted to have signed the most exciting young jockey riding in Europe. Billy Loughnane is an outstanding rider with a great future in our sport. We are thrilled that he has chosen our silks at this early stage in his career and he will formally start with us at the Dubai Carnival in December 2026. William Buick has ridden for us with distinction for over 10 years and we are very happy that he will continue as one of our two retained jockeys.” The post Billy Loughnane Joins William Buick as Retained Jockey for Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.