Luke Morris reaches 2,000 winners in Britain

Luke Morris: leading jockey reached 2,000 winners in Britain at Southwell on Tuesday

Tuesday: Southwell

Luke Morris partnered his 2,000th winner in Britain after winning the 5f handicap at Southwell on Colors Of Freedom for Archie Watson.

Morris, widely regarded as one of the hardest-working jockeys in the weighing room, reached 2,000 winners globally last month.

The 34-year-old became the sixth jockey currently riding in Britain to get to the 2,000 Flat winner mark, emulating Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori, Jamie Spencer, Paul Hanagan and Joe Fanning.

"I'm immensely proud," he said. "I'm very lucky to have lots of loyal contacts, great trainers and owners, as well as an understanding family who have always supported me.

"This is something I've wanted to do since I was six and they've been supportive since the very start. I set myself a goal every year to ride 100 winners and hopefully ride a Group 1 winner.

"Luckily, it's worked out quite well for me but you have to keep your work ethic every year and keep your head down. I've always been ambitious and I hope that will stay with me for a long time."

Alpinista: the apple of Luke Morris's eye during a stunning 2022

Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Morris began riding in 2005 and his first winner came at Southwell in November that year, when Caerphilly Gal won a 7f handicap.

His best return came when he rode 189 winners in 2014 and 2015, while he has ridden more than 100 victories each year since 2011.

Morris enjoyed a brilliant 2022 with 103 wins in Britain, and enjoyed three Group 1 victories on Alpinista. Two of those came abroad, culminating in a popular success in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October for longtime ally Sir Mark Prescott.

He has ridden nine top-level winners, with six of them coming aboard Alpinista, two with sprinter Marsha and a breakthrough Group 1 triumph on Gilt Edge Girl in the 2010 Prix de l'Abbaye.

Morris added: "Of the British winners, Marsha winning the Nunthorpe and Alpinista in the Yorkshire Oaks are very much my highlights. They were special days, especially winning them for Sir Mark and loyal owners in the Elite Racing Club and Miss [Kirsten] Rausing.

"I'm very much hoping there will be plenty more days like that. You just hope that the ball keeps rolling year in year out and just keep the number tally very high."

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