Apprentice jockey Jasper Franklin continues to impress after Queensland move

New Queensland hoop Jasper Franklin has opened up on his “downward spiral” that caused him to step away from racing and what inspired him to get his career back on track.

New Queensland apprentice Jasper Franklin pictured at Rosehill Gardens on May 20, 2023. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

Fresh faced Queensland apprentice Jasper Franklin is finding his groove on and off the track after returning from “a well needed break”.

In May the 20-year-old decided to take four months off from racing following an extensive battle with his weight.

After relocating to the Sunshine State in September, Franklin is working under Group-1 winning jockey turned trainer Peter Robl on the Gold Coast.

Franklin, who has two Sydney city victories to his name and took out Racing NSW’s 2022-23 Rising Star Series for apprentices, described his past six months as a “whirlwind”.

“I was down in Sydney after getting an opportunity to go down to Mark Newman and be his apprentice which was great,” he said.

“I started off with a bang but then unfortunately for me but fortunately for Mark, he got the opportunity to go to Hong Kong which started a bit of a downward spiral for me.”

Jasper Franklin riding Rediener wins Race 6 Toyota Forklifts during Lord Mayors Cup Day Sydney Racing at Rosehill Gardens on May 20, 2023. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

Franklin later joined Michael Freedman but said he struggled to acquire trial and race rides, even at the provincial level.

“They only wanted me in town on a Saturday which in hindsight is great but not if you’re trying to go through the grades like I was,” he said.

“I pretty much stopped trying and then my weight got out of control as I would be having to lose seven kilograms every week just to ride on Saturday.

“I was having to repeat that process every week so eventually I said I couldn’t do it and they told me if I was to get off one horse I had to get off all of them.”

Trainer Peter Robl brushes his horse Ninth Legion. Picture: Jenny Evans

Franklin returned home to his family farm in Grafton where there were moments he did not think he would ever ride again.

He said after speaking to his father Craig, a New Zealand-born jockey who retired in 2021, Franklin decided to return to the industry.

“Racing can definitely take you from the penthouse to the s--thouse real quick because I was riding in Sydney for Chris Waller and Godolphin and then my first race ride back was out at Lismore before I moved to Queensland,” he said.

“It’s been a whirlwind of a ride but I’m in a much better head space now, living on the Gold Coast and working under trainer Peter Robl who has been great,” he said.

“In Sydney I burnt a few bridges so coming up to Queensland was a real fresh start and within a few weeks I’m getting a lot of offers and teaming up with some great trainers which has been really good.”

Franklin is currently riding at 56.kg and has recorded four wins and four placings from 11 rides in Queensland.

He said his main aim was to outride his provincial claim while challenging for the Queensland provincial apprentice title.