The pool of developing and veteran talent this year in horse racing includes some of the top jockeys in all of Australia. These are the folks you’ll want to look out for as the 2014 season progresses; you can watch their rise and see just how far they can go. Over the course of the 2013 season, they’ve been building their reputations and racking up the wins. Now, 2014 is looking to be the year for them. Here are the jockeys worth keeping an eye on as the horse racing season moves forward.
Recent Success of Winona Costin
One jockey who’s been getting a lot of attention over the last few weeks is the recent Sapphire Coast five ride winner, Winona Costin. Only 18 years old, she’s already proving herself on the track as one of the most capable and skilled riders out there. In particular, most race watchers cite her recent string of consistent results across the New South Wales circuit as one of the main driving forces behind the jockey’s steady rise through the rankings. She’s now preparing to move over into Sydney in the months to come and ride as a 3kg claimer. Assuming she maintains her high level of performance as 2014 rolls on, she’ll definitely be one rider to keep an eye on as she attempt to secure her reputation at the very top of the rankings.
Katelyn Mallyon Is Back at It This Season
Another rider worth watching this year is Katelyn Mallyon, who’s off to a great start so far after her injury-ridden season back in 2012-2013. The 19-year-old former Victorian champion apprentice has been receiving ride after ride from the Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra teams. Looking at the standings for the Melbourne Jockey Premiership, Mallyon is currently holding the seventh place position after having won 16 city titles through her 108 rides so far. Her strike rate is an impressive 14.80% for her rides on the city circuits, which is a score that places her in fourth place when it comes to strike rates overall. If she can remain injury free, there’s not much else that can seemingly put a stop to her rise this year.
Damien Thornton Shows Incredible Promise
Having finished in 10th place last season in the Melbourne jockey premiership, 18-year-old Damien Thornton is now seeking to make a name for himself on the Sydney tracks after making the move back in September. To say he’s been off to a good start this season would be an understatement. Since his Melbourne to Sydney transition was completed, the jockey has achieved nine metropolitan wins after a total of 80 different rides, which leaves him with a strike rate of 11.20%—that’s the top score among all the Sydney apprentices who’ve completed 30 or more rides so far. His move to Sydney has given him the opportunity this season to make some of the biggest gains of any apprentice on the track.
The Veteran Jockey, Paul Harvey
As one of the most decorated and most consistent riders ever, the Western Australia rider, Paul Harvey, is a veteran jockey whose history makes him a threat on the track every season. The 12-time premiership winner is off to a solid start this year, having achieved first place finishes in a handful of races so far, along with a number of finishes in the top 3, 6, and 12 podium positions. Despite injuries over the years, he has recently gotten his career back on track, and he’s now pushing ahead as strong as ever. If the man’s decade of past performances is of any suggestion, 2014 is sure to be an exciting season for the 44-year-old rider.
Each racing season brings with it new, talented jockeys who’ve been rising steadily through the ranks as well as veteran pros who’re still making themselves known across the circuits. This year is no different. With the combination of younger riders, like Winona Costin, Katelyn Mallyon, and Damien Thornton, and veterans of the sport, like Paul Harvey, there’s no telling what the final results might be by the end of the season. The only thing known for certain is that there’s sure to be an exciting year of horse racing ahead for Australia.
