Jamie Bayliss and son Jake Bayliss combine for milestone victory

Jamie Bayliss joined in on his sons’ weekend celebrations, training his first two Queensland winners as he outlined the plans for his new Sunshine Coast stable.

Jamie and Jake Bayliss. Picture: Kiaarn Dickens (X)

It was a weekend full of smiles for the Bayliss family that included a $2m Sydney winner, a Brisbane race double and an official return to the Queensland training ranks.

Following 13 years in Victoria, Jamie Bayliss returned home to Queensland in late 2023 and scored his first and second stable victories on February 10 and 11.

The Corbould Park-based trainer prepared his first winner in Turf Flyer at Nanango on Saturday before following up that milestone with Kerkorian on Sunday at the Sunshine Coast.

The Sunday victory was made extra special for Bayliss as the odds-on favourite was steered home by his eldest son Jake who completed a double at Doomben on Saturday.

Down south his other son Regan partnered the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Fully Lit to victory in the $2m Inglis Millennium on Saturday at Randwick.

“It was a very special weekend,” Jamie Bayliss said.

“Jake and Regan’s performances were both really good and then for me to get my first winner was just great.”

Jamie Bayliss and his Jake in 2010. Picture: Sarah Keayes.

After officially retiring from race riding in 2017, Bayliss worked under Lyn Shand in Victoria before relocating to the Sunshine Coast in December.

The 54-year-old said he had a current stable size of 10 runners and purchased seven yearlings at the Magic Millions sales, with the most expensive an $80,000 Pierata colt.

“As soon as I got back to Queensland I knew I wanted to come to the Sunshine Coast so I’ve got five runners of my own and pre-train a few others,” he said.

“The yearlings are all out at the farm currently but they;re quite exciting and I’m happy with the current team of horses too.

“I’m really enjoying being back, I don’t have any real aims but things are going well.”

Bayliss has also welcomed rising apprentice Nikki Olzard to his stable after Olzard made the move from Rockhampton at the beginning of 2024.

The 18-year-old underwent a year of guidance and teachings from former top provincial hoop Adrian Coome before she recorded 10 wins and 18 placings from 46 starts in her first (2022-23) season.

“Nikki rode the winner at Nanango which was really cool and it was in my dad's old colours,” he said.

“She’s only been riding since May 2023 so she still has her country licence but once she gets her provincial licence everyone will know her.”