Jimmy Orman delighted to watch history-making Angela Jones win Brisbane jockeys’ title

Jimmy Orman was on track to win a fourth straight Brisbane jockeys’ title before he left for Hong Kong, but he couldn’t be happier for history-making Angela Jones.

Hong Kong-based jockey Jimmy Orman says Angela Jones was a deserving winner of the Brisbane premiership,

Jimmy Orman would have won his fourth consecutive Brisbane riding title if he hadn’t seized the opportunity of a lifetime in Hong Kong, but he is chuffed that Angela Jones got to walk in his premiership footsteps.

Orman is back in Queensland on a family holiday and has been paying notice to the final stages of the premiership race with Jones warding off great mate Emily Lang to make history as the first female jockey to score the Brisbane premiership.

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If Orman hadn’t been snapped up in Hong Kong, he would have scored his fourth successive Brisbane title as he already had 45 winners under his belt for the Brisbane season before heading off in February.

Orman will soon be back riding in Hong Kong, where he is contracted until February, but is chuffed that Jones and Lang fought out the riding title.

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“Ange is a great rider and so is Emily and both have ridden really well this season,” Orman said.

“When I first started riding in Brisbane I was already noticing the increase in female riders, especially in the apprentice ranks.

“Back then there were also a lot of girls who were going to be apprentice jockeys, but they didn’t end up riding for one reason or another.

“It’s great to see these girls riding so well for a leading stable, with Tony Gollan, and I think Ange is a deserving winner.

“I had been going for four (premierships) but I upped and left.

“It’s superb to see a female jockey has won the title for the first time.”

Champion Queensland trainer Gollan said it was hardly a surprise that history was made at Doomben.

“This was always going to be a matter of when, not if,” Gollan said.

“There has been this emergence (of female jockeys) going on for some time.

“It’s terrific for both of these girls, they have both had breakout seasons, and it’s really good for racing.

“My stable has always been receptive to using female jockeys, even going right back to when I trained in Toowoomba.”

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Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mander was thrilled with the fabulous racing milestone.

“This is an historic moment in Queensland racing,” Mander said.

“While there can only be one winner, I’d like to congratulate both Angela and Emily on terrific seasons in the saddle.

“I hope their achievements inspire other young women to pursue their dreams in the industry.”

Angela Jones (right) celebrates her title win with nearest rival Emily Lang and trainer Tony Gollan. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Meanwhile, Orman will soon return to Hong Kong where he hopes to build his connections after already riding 13 winners there.

He was initially snapped up by the Hong Kong Jockey Club after several jockeys suffered injuries in a fall.

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But he has made the most of his opportunities there and wants to try to make it a longer-term stint.

“It’s a good lifestyle and it’s great racing, so I will try and stay as long as I can while I’m doing well,” Orman said.

“It will be better for me when I go back this time, because I now know more about how the system works.

“I don’t want to set my goals too high, I just want to try to stay consistent and build more connections.

“If you can ride winners you can stay, that seems to be how it works.”

Originally published as Jimmy Orman delighted to watch history-making Angela Jones win Brisbane jockeys’ title