Leading apprentice jockey Leah Kilner is in top from this season

Star apprentice jockey Leah Kilner has stamped her foot on the Queensland racing scene in recent months and says she was practically ‘born into the racing industry’.

Star apprentice jockey Leah Kilner says she was practically “born into the racing industry” and the claims are being backed up on track.

Kilner began her apprenticeship when living at her family home in Grafton, under her father and trainer Greg.

She said with her family’s strong reputation in racing she always knew where she’d end up.

“I’d say I was just born into the racing industry,” she said.

“My family is very well known in racing in the Northern Rivers as my great uncle was a trainer, my pop was a bookmaker, my dad was a jockey turned trainer and now me.”

Leah Kilner alongside her mother after riding Swanston, trained by her father Greg to victory at Doomben. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography,

Before making the move to Queensland permanent last season Kilner would often drive from Grafton to ride at the Sunshine Coast on a Sunday afternoon.

After showing promise in Queensland at the end of the 2020/2021 racing season Kilner was able to land a deal with Group One-winning trainer Rob Heathcote.

“I just came up here for a two-week trial and it went well so I then did a three-month loan and since coming to Rob I’ve had some really great opportunities,” she said.

Within the first two days of arriving in Brisbane, Kilner was given the responsibility of riding one of the stable’s stars, Emerald Kingdom.

“I was very lucky when Rob put me on Emerald Kingdom who is one of his best horses,” she said.

“It was a nervy time but also a big confidence booster riding a Group One class horse.”

Leading Queensland trainer Rob Heathcote alongside star jockey Leah Kilner. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

Kilner’s combination with Heathcote speaks for itself this season as the pair share a strike rate of 19.1 and 48.2 per cent from 110 starts.

“I think you’ve just gotta put your head down and work as hard as you can to make the most of every opportunity,” she said.

The 23-year-old said her attention to detail towards the other leading jockeys had been a reason for her success so far.

“Growing up I watched the likes of James McDonald and Jamie Kah and as much as you can never be them and probably never replicate them you can take on board specific little things help improve how you ride,” she said.

“That’s been no different since I’ve moved to Queensland with the amount of talent I’m surrounded with.”

Leah Kilner all smiles after riding Emerald Kingdom to victory at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

The self-confessed superstitious jockey – who swears you must stamp on new racing colours three times before a race – currently sits in third spot on the Metropolitan apprentices leaderboard behind Jaden Lloyd and Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

“We’re all pretty close together on numbers but if I can ride to the best of my ability, stay in that top three and even outride my claim in the next year I’ll be pretty happy,” she said.