Leading jockey Jimmy Orman battles for metropolitan premiership

In-form jockey Jimmy Orman says he’s a more matured rider compared to his Queensland premiership heartbreak in 2015-16, as he continues to hold his spot in the metro ranks.

He is currently one of Queensland racing's most valuable assets but leading jockey Jimmy Orman knows the pressure and constraints that come with keeping track of the premiership standings.

The 25-year-old has been in top form this season with 31 wins and 20 placings from his last 100 rides but said things could change after going close to winning the title as an apprentice in 2015-16.

After leading the metropolitan standings for the majority of the season – only to be outdone by Jeff Lloyd and Jim Byrne in the final months – Orman said he felt he had matured a lot as a rider and as a person.

“I have matured in both of those aspects and although I set myself goals I don’t look at the standings or anything too much,” he said.

“A few years ago I was constantly checking how I was tracking but now I focus on my individual performances and to just ride as consistent and as well as I can.

“Winning the premiership at the Sunshine Coast last season was great so I wanted to win that again and finish top three in the metro premiership as well.”

Jockey James Orman is looking to land his first Group 1 this winter after a bumper season to date. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Orman currently sits in second place, just one and a half wins behind Jim Byrne and holds the second-best winning strike rate of 18.9 per cent.

The 170cm tall hoop also said he was getting more comfortable with his weight battles.

“I walk around heavy as my biggest downfall is my weight,” he said.

“I very rarely ride under 56kg nowadays so it’s a good comfortable weight for me and I try and stick by that.

“There are a lot of jockeys in the same boat as me but I’m still getting good rides and performing well so it’s starting to become more of a norm for me.”

Orman said his ambition to ride overseas remained on hold as he continued to raise his young family.

“My kids are three and seven months old and my partner Heidi is amazing so I’m really happy here for the minute,” he said.

“I think if you asked any jockey if they wanted to ride overseas and they said no they would be lying as I wanted to go to Singapore a couple of years ago but got knocked back.

“It’s hard to do it from Queensland so it would be nice to have a horse good enough to go down to Sydney or Melbourne to ride and then with a bit of luck you never know where your options may take you.”