Wayne Lordan

{{short description|Irish jockey}} {{Use British English|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox horseracing personality | name = Wayne Lordan | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = Sole Power crop.jpg | caption = Lordan on Sole Power after winning the 2010 Nunthorpe Stakes | occupation = Jockey | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1982|04|20}} | birth_place = Upton, County Cork, Ireland | height = | weight = | career_wins = | race = '''British Classics''' 1,000 Guineas (2017, 2019, 2026) Epsom Derby (2025) '''Other major British races''' British Champions Sprint Stakes (2013, 2014) Diamond Jubilee Stakes (2014) Goodwood Cup (2025) July Cup (2014) Nassau Stakes (2015) Nunthorpe Stakes (2010) '''Irish Classics''' Irish 1,000 Guineas (2026) '''Major Irish races''' Matron Stakes (2015, 2017) | awards = Horse Racing Ireland Flat Achievement Award (2019) | honours = | memorials = | horses = Slade Power, Sole Power, Winter, Hermosa, Lambourn | url = | module = }}

'''Wayne Lordan''' (born 20 April 1982) is a multiple Classic and Group 1 winning Irish jockey.

==Background and early career==

Lordan grew up in Upton, County Cork. He started pony racing when he was nine years old, following in the footsteps of his father and brother, and was noticed by trainer Thomond O'Mara. Leaving school at fourteen, he worked for O'Mara for six years.<ref name=IE>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/racing/arid-20154626.html|title=Racing's quiet man|date=14 May 2011|work=Irish Examiner}}</ref> His first winner was Ethbaat for trainer Gerry Cully at Killarney on 15 July 1998.<ref name=HRI> {{cite web |url=https://www.hri.ie/statistics/jockey/data/?jid=1543|work=Horse Racing Ireland |title=Jockey Profile: Wayne Lordan |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref> After six years with O'Mara, he moved on to the yard of Tommy Stack and then, in 2005, began riding for David Wachman as well as Stack. That year he rode 41 winners.<ref name=IE/>

Lordan won his first Group 1 race on the unfancied Sole Power, owned by the Power bookmaking family and trained by Eddie Lynam, in the 2010 Nunthorpe Stakes at York. At 100/1, the horse was the longest-priced winner of a British Group 1 contest for 35 years.<ref name=HRI/> Interviewed the following year, he said:<ref name=IE/><blockquote>Up to last year all I wanted to do was win a Group 1 and now I want another one, but the most important thing for me is to ride plenty of winners every year. Sure I dream of winning the Derby and all that stuff, but my main aim is to work hard and keep my bosses happy. The winners will come from that.</blockquote>

Lordan's first Royal Ascot winner was Lolly for Dolly, trained by Stack, in the 2011 Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. The following year, Duntle, trained by Wachman, won the Sandringham Handicap. In 2013, Duntle gave Lordan a second win in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. He secured his fourth win at Royal Ascot on Slade Power, owned by the Power family and trained by Lynam, in the 2014 Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes. He went on to win the 2014 Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket on Slade Power. In 2015, the filly Legatissimo, trained by Wachman, provided Lordan with two Group 1 wins - the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.<ref name=RPProfile>{{cite web |url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/76602/wayne-lordan |work=Racing Post |title=Profile: Jockey - Wayne Lordan - Stats |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref>

==Ballydoyle==

In January 2017, Lordan was taken on by trainer Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle as one of his team of riders. Lordan said: "I'll be riding work and trying to make best use of whatever opportunities might come my way. I'll be putting my head down and giving the job 100 per cent."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/hayes-fills-stack-job-while-lordan-joins-ballydoyle-abQJ28G5gPZq/|title=Hayes fills Stack job while Lordan joins Ballydoyle|date=10 November 2016|work=Racing Post}}</ref> Opportunity soon came his way when 9/1 chance Winter won the 1,000 Guineas in May 2017, beating her stablemate, favourite Rhododendron, ridden by Ballydoyle number one jockey Ryan Moore to give Lordan his first Classic win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/39837607|title=1,000 Guineas: Winter wins Classic to give Aidan O'Brien a third Guineas double|date=7 May 2017|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Moore then took over as the rider of Winter, winning three more Group 1 races that season, but was beaten a head by Lordan on the Ballydoyle fourth string, 20/1 chance Hydrangea, in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingtv.com/news/matron-stakes-hydrangea-freezes-out-winter-to-trigger-20-1-upset|title=Matron Stakes: Aidan O'Brien blames spell on the sidelines for Winter defeat to Hydrangea|date=3 December 2017|work=Racing TV}}</ref><ref name=RPProfile/>

In October 2018, Lordan won the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket on Iridessa, a two-year-old trained by O'Brien's son Joseph Patrick O'Brien. Iridessa would go on to provide Lordan with three more Group 1 victories the following season, winning the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Matron Stakes in Ireland and the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in California.<ref name=HRI/> The 2019 season also brought another win for Lordan in the 1,000 Guineas, this time riding the Ballydoyle third string, 14/1 chance Hermosa.<ref name=RPProfile/> In December 2019, he was winner of the Flat Achievement Award at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southernstar.ie/sport/success-for-upton-jockey-wayne-lordan-at-annual-horse-racing-ireland-awards-4197870|title=Success for Upton jockey Wayne Lordan at annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards|date=11 December 2019|work=The Southern Star}}</ref>

In July 2020, Lordan had a rare opportunity to ride a Ballydoyle first string in a major race. With Moore quarantined in England under COVID-19 regulations and Seamie Heffernan suspended, Lordan rode odds-on favourite Magical to her second consecutive win in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/its-super-six-for-magical-as-she-breezes-to-victory-in-the-tattersalls-gold-cup-aDsBO5x6yY50/|title=O'Brien looks to York as professional Magical lands second Tattersalls Gold Cup|date=26 July 2020|work=Racing Post}}</ref> In 2021 and 2022, Lordan won four Group 3 races, but, for the first time since joining Ballydoyle, there were no victories at the highest level.<ref name=RPProfile/> In September 2022, he rode 5/1 favourite Waterville from last to first in a field of 30 to win the Irish Cesarewitch, Europe's most valuable flat handicap.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/wayne-lordan-masterclass-as-waterville-gains-last-gasp-irish-cesarewitch-win-aIulD9H1WDf4/|title=Lordan delivers Waterville from impossible position for Cesarewitch victory|date=25 September 2022|work=Racing Post}}</ref>

Lordan rode his 1000th winner at Naas on 24 April 2023<ref name=HRI/> At the 2023 Royal Ascot meeting, he won the Group 3 Jersey Stakes on 22/1 Ballydoyle second string Age of Kings. It was his fifth Royal Ascot win, his first since 2014, and his first for O'Brien.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/jersey-stakes-age-of-kings-runs-out-a-shock-22-1-winner-to-give-aidan-obrien-a-fourth-royal-ascot-winner-of-2023-auXd15y8jTBg/|title='I'll take a Royal Ascot winner any day' - Wayne Lordan cashes in on O'Brien second string as Age Of Kings strikes|date=24 June 2023|work=Racing Post}}</ref> Lordan was riding San Antonio in the Irish Derby in July 2023 when the horse fractured a foreleg and unseated Lordan, who sustained a concussion and fractures to his legs and elbow. San Antonio was euthanised. Lordan was out of racing for eight months while he recovered from his injuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2023/07/02/auguste-rodins-irish-derby-victory-marred-by-fatal-injury-to-stable-mate-san-antonio/|title=Auguste Rodin's Irish Derby victory marred by fatal injury to stable mate San Antonio|date=2 July 2023|work=The Irish Times}}</ref><ref name=RPDerby>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/lambourn-makes-all-the-running-to-give-aidan-obrien-yet-another-triumph-in-the-derby-aAYhz8d1kYS2/|title='It's a privilege for us to have him' - Aidan O'Brien lauds Wayne Lordan as rider makes every yard to win Derby on Lambourn|date=7 June 2025|work=Racing Post}}</ref> On his return to racing in 2024, he was promoted to ride as second jockey for O'Brien, taking the place of Heffernan, who had left Ballydoyle.<ref name=IrishTimes>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2025/06/07/its-waynes-world-at-epsom-as-lordan-guides-lambourn-to-derby-glory/|title=It's 'Wayne's World' at Epsom as Lordan guides Lambourn to Derby glory|date=7 June 2025|work=The Irish Times}}</ref>

In May 2024, Lordan won the Group 3 Leopardstown Derby Trial on Los Angeles and went on to ride him in the Epsom Derby, where they came third behind the favourite, City of Troy, ridden by Moore for O'Brien. It was Lordan's eighth ride in the race, with his best results being two previous third places - on Japan for O'Brien in 2019 and Galileo Rock for Wachman in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/c1rrp0eznxdo|title=City Of Troy gives trainer O'Brien 10th Derby win|date=1 June 2024|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greatbritishracing.com/features/which-rider-will-win-the-derby/|title=Who will take the Betfred Derby title this year?|date=28 May 2024|work=Great British Racing}}</ref> Lordan won a total of five Group 3 races in 2024. He also won the Group 2 Railway Stakes on Henry Matisse and the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes on Lake Victoria. In both races he was riding the Ballydoyle second string, while Moore rode the beaten favourite.<ref name=RPProfile/>

Lordan again won the Leopardstown Derby Trial in 2025, standing in for Moore on Delacroix, while Moore was riding Henri Matisse to win the French 2,000 Guineas on the same day.<ref name=RPProfile/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/racing/news/12426/13366480/henri-matisse-fends-off-jonquil-to-land-the-french-2-000-guineas-in-a-thriller|title=Henri Matisse fends off Jonquil to land the French 2,000 Guineas in a thriller|date=12 May 2025}}</ref> Moore took the ride on favourite Delacroix in the Epsom Derby on 7 June, while Lordan teamed up with Lambourn. He rode Lambourn in his exercise at Ballydoyle but had only ridden him once before on the racecourse, when the colt won on his debut at Killarney in July 2024.<ref name=RPDerby/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/agony-for-punters-as-1.01-certainty-crashes-through-rail-when-five-lengths-clear-and-50-yards-from-the-line-aKhQY1l6df3q/|title=Agony for punters as 1.01 certainty crashes through rail when four lengths clear and 50 yards from the line|date=17 July 2024|work=Racing Post}}</ref>

Lambourn started at odds of 13/2 in a field of eighteen and quickly went into the lead. He made all to finish three-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of his nearest rival, 50/1 outsider Lazy Griff, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, with Delacroix and Moore finishing in ninth place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/c89p32ql0pno|title=Lambourn storms to Derby win at Epsom for O'Brien|date=7 June 2025|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> After the race, Lordan said: "This is one of the greatest races, for any jockey that starts out all they ever want to do is win a Derby. I'm in a lucky position that I get to ride a horse like this".<ref name=IrishTimes/> The previous day, Lordan had ridden Whirl into second place in the Epsom Oaks.<ref name=IrishTimes/>

==Personal life==

A natural lightweight, Lordan said in a 2011 interview that he kept his weight down to 7 stone without dieting or working out.<ref name=IE/> He is married to Carey-Ann, with whom he has a daughter and a son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theirishfield.ie/racing/racing-features/curragh-sunday-moyglare-moment-livens-up-a-quiet-enclosure-699599|title=Curragh Sunday: Moyglare moment livens up a quiet enclosure|date=27 May 2022|work=The Irish Field}}</ref>

==Statistics==

'''Flat wins in Ireland by year'''<ref name=RPProfile/>

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Wins !! Runs !! Strike rate % !! Total earnings |- | 1998 || 3 || 80 || 4 || ''not given'' |- | 1999 || 17 || 224 || 8 || ''not given'' |- | 2000 || 10 || 291 || 3 || ''not given'' |- | 2001 || 22 || 389 || 6 || ''not given'' |- | 2002 || 20 || 417 || 5 || ''not given'' |- | 2003 || 16 || 358 || 4 || ''not given'' |- | 2004 || 11 || 388 || 3 || ''not given'' |- | 2005 || 41 || 489 || 8 || ''not given'' |- | 2006 || 41 || 413 || 10 || ''not given'' |- | 2007 || 55 || 589 || 9 || €1,537,442 |- | 2008 || 59 || 527 || 11 || €1,346,850 |- | 2009 || 53 || 531 || 10 || €914,105 |- | 2010 || 57 || 542 || 11 || €1,045,769 |- | 2011 || 54 || 482 || 11 || €1,157,170 |- | 2012 || 75 || 537 || 14 || €1,298,759 |- | 2013 || 51 || 529 || 10 || €1,398,304 |- | 2014 || 55 || 495 || 11 || €1,002,280 |- | 2015 || 53 || 563 || 9 || €1,501,220 |- | 2016 || 50 || 603 || 8 || €956,073 |- | 2017 || 27 || 499 || 5 || €965,540 |- | 2018 || 38 || 466 || 8 || €902,156 |- | 2019 || 29 || 421 || 7 || €1,297,760 |- | 2020 || 57 || 466 || 12 || €1,647,040 |- | 2021 || 41 || 472 || 9 || €893,033 |- | 2022 || 58 || 484 || 12 || €1,622,025 |- | 2023 || 16 || 166 || 10 || €463,205 |- | 2024 || 58 || 357 || 16 || €1,785,760 |- | 2025 || 68 || 381 || 18 || €1,594,265 |- |} {{notelist}}

'''Flat wins in Great Britain by year'''<ref name=RPProfile/>

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Wins !! Runs !! Strike rate % !! Total earnings |- | 1999 || 0 || 1 || 0 || — |- | 2001 || 1 || 9 || 11 || £2,828 |- | 2002 || 2 || 54 || 4 || £12,703 |- | 2003 || 0 || 9 || 0 || — |- | 2004 || 0 || 7 || 0 || £423 |- | 2005 || 0 || 4 || 0 || £5,500 |- | 2006 || 0 || 9 || 0 || £5,385 |- | 2007 || 0 || 11 || 0 || £56,183 |- | 2008 || 0 || 13 || 0 || £148,457 |- | 2009 || 1 || 19 || 5 || £34,054 |- | 2010 || 2 || 9 || 22 || £171,374 |- | 2011 || 4 || 20 || 20 || £216,487 |- | 2012 || 2 || 25 || 8 || £79,379 |- | 2013 || 4 || 24 || 17 || £758,307 |- | 2014 || 3 || 18 || 17 || £895,049 |- | 2015 || 1 || 16 || 6 || £365,049 |- | 2016 || 0 || 4 || 0 || £36,803 |- | 2017 || 1 || 13 || 8 || £403,291 |- | 2018 || 1 || 43 || 2 || £538,060 |- | 2019 || 3 || 34 || 9 || £951,151 |- | 2020 || — || 0 || — || — |- | 2021 || 0 || 20 || 0 || £251,215 |- | 2022 || 0 || 7 || 0 || £45,292 |- | 2023 || 1 || 11 || 9 || £93,795 |- | 2024 || 1 || 27 || 4 || £687,951 |- | 2025 || 4 || 34 || 12 || £1,905,449 |} {{notelist}}

== Major wins == {{flagicon|Ireland}} '''Ireland''' *Matron Stakes - (2) - ''Legatissimo (2015)'', ''Hydrangea (2017)'' * Moyglare Stud Stakes - (1) - '' Lake Victoria (2024) '' *Pretty Polly Stakes - (1) - ''Iridessa (2019)'' *Tattersalls Gold Cup - (1) - ''Magical (2020)'' *1,000 Guineas - (1) - Precise (2026)

{{flagicon|Great Britain}} '''Great Britain''' *1000 Guineas Stakes - (3) - ''Winter (2017), Hermosa (2019), True Love (2026)'' *British Champions Sprint Stakes - (2) - ''Slade Power (2013)'', ''Gordon Lord Byron (2014)'' * Cheveley Park Stakes - (1) - '' True Love (2025) '' *Diamond Jubilee Stakes - (1) - ''Slade Power (2014)'' * Epsom Derby - (1) - '' Lambourn (2025) '' *Fillies' Mile - (1) - ''Iridessa (2018)'' * Goodwood Cup - (1) - '' Scandinavia (2025) '' *July Cup - (1) - ''Slade Power (2014)'' *Nassau Stakes - (1) - ''Legatissimo (2015)'' *Nunthorpe Stakes - (1) - ''Sole Power (2010)''

{{flagicon|USA}} '''United States''' *Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf - (1) - ''Iridessa (2019)''

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lordan, Wayne}} Category:Irish jockeys Category:Living people Category:Equestrians from County Cork Category:1982 births