Jockey Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley gets to take home his favourite racehorse, Master Jamie

Larrikin Queensland jockey Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley has a special bond with Master Jamie, with whom he combined to win 11 races – and now he’ll be able to reminisce with his favourite racehorse whenever he likes.

Not many jockeys get to take their favourite racehorse home.

But that’s the situation for Queensland jockey Les “Bubba” Tilley and much-loved warrior Master Jamie who has been retired after finishing second behind Hype in the Rockhampton Cup last month.

Graeme Green-trained Master Jamie finished runner-up under Tilley when shooting for an incredible third straight Rockhampton Cup, denied a fairytale finish by Irish-born galloper Hype.

Master Jamie, who has just turned eight, has been retired and will arrive at Tilley’s five-acre property near Toowoomba on Sunday.

Jockey Les “Bubba” Tilley salutes after guiding Master Jamie to victory in one of his Rockhampton Cup wins. Picture: Caught In The Act Photography CQ

Tilley has an incredible connection and special bond with Master Jamie, having ridden him 37 times for 11 wins (including back-to-back Rockhampton Cups in 2022 and 2023).

“He retired after the Rocky Cup, it wasn’t the fairytale ending we wanted, but it was awfully close,” Tilley said.

Hype wins the @tabcomau Rockhampton Cup! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VrBZp1hpkw

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

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“He’s now coming home to my place and he will be here on Sunday.

“We have got a five-acre property in Toowoomba and he’s going to be trained to do something, whether it’s jumping or equestrian.”

Tilley and his partner, former jockey Alex Patis, also have former well-performed former Tony Gollan sprinter Baller on their property.

Tilley first won on Master Jamie when the galloper made his racing debut in Rockhampton in 2018 and the duo have had a tight bond ever since.

They go together like bread and butter, fish and chips and rum and coke.

Master Jamie. Picture: Caught In The Act Photography CQ

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“I’ve had a huge connection with this horse, riding him more than 30 times and winning two Rocky Cups and running second in another one,” Tilley said.

“He is such a beautiful, kind and gentle horse and I fell in love with him right from the start.”

Originally published as Jockey Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley gets to take home his favourite racehorse, Master Jamie