Jockey Micheal Hellyer is nearing 700 career wins

Queensland jockey Micheal Hellyer is closing in on 700 career wins but still laughs at how he got involved in the racing industry in the first place. Read how it all began:

Jockey Michael Hellyer speaks to the media at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Saturday, December 7, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

Popular jockey Micheal Hellyer is on the verge of 700 career wins but laughs when he says he didn’t know the first thing about racing until he went to buy his first car.

Hellyer’s initial brush with fate came when he walked into a car dealer’s office and became intrigued with the different pictures of horses on the walls.

The man behind the desk turned out to be Phil McLeod, a racing tragic and successful part-time trainer, who explained all he could to Hellyer about the industry.

Mr McLeod strongly encouraged the naive 15-year-old to become an apprentice jockey and Hellyer said two days later he was on his way to Orange to undertake a jockey’s course.

Jockey Michael Hellyer gestures after riding She’s Furline to victory in race 5, the Class 3 Handicap, during Metro Races at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Saturday, December 7, 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

Fast forward 18 years and the now 33-year-old sits on 691 career wins.

“When I first started getting into race riding all I wanted to be was good enough to make an earning out of it and support my family,” Hellyer said.

“Obviously once the ball got rolling I wanted bigger races as most jockeys do but I didn’t think I would be able to get this many winners.

“The racing industry was really new to me but I’ve been so fortunate in terms of the support I’ve always had and continue to receive.”

Micheal Hellyer began as an apprentice jockey at Deagon in 2010. Picture Jamie Hanson

After eventually moving to Queensland with his wife Linda in 2009, Hellyer was crowned the South East Queensland metropolitan and provincial apprentice champion.

“I didn’t dream of winning apprentice titles or anything like that but I had unbelievable support that season, especially from the late, great Kelso Wood,” he said after trials at Corbould Park this week.

“He only had about 15 to 20 horses in work but every single one of them were town horses.”

The proud Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Aston Villa supporter has worked alongside top Queensland trainers such as Rob Heathcote, David Vandyke and Stuart Kendrick.

Jockey Michael Hellyer aboard Baccarat Baby at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Saturday, September 15, 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

Hellyer said his career had plenty of top moments but none more memorable than the opportunities aboard Baccarat Baby.

“Although she ran fifth in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes, just being able to ride down the straight at Flemington with the roar of the crowd is definitely something that stands out for me,” he said.

Unlike most jockeys who use the services of a manager, Hellyer prefers to organise his own rides alongside his six-year-old daughter Everly.

His laid-back nature and overall racing smarts means the “accidental” jockey will hold a place among Queensland’s best for a long time to come.