Krystal Bishop joins forces with trainer John Dunn after retiring from riding
Krystal Bishop had had enough of injuries and a battle with weight, now she is hoping to make an impact as a trainer after 11 years as a jockey.
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Recently-retired jockey Krystal Bishop’s mind was all but made up when she had a serious fall at Gawler in October.
Surgery was necessary to wire her jaw, along with a bone graft from her skull to help repair her cheekbones and eye sockets. Eight plates and 47 screws were inserted in her “shattered” face.
“The injuries from that fall hit home a little bit,” Bishop said. “I sort of made the decision to retire at the end of the season then. I still loved riding, but I had to make that call.”
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There had also been a broken leg from a fall, which led to a golden staph infection, she had “busted” both wrists and had countless issues with her fingers.
The injuries had taken their toll on the 28-year old. That, and headaches with her weight. Her natural weight is about 58kg, she “walked around at about 56 and a half”, and she rode at 54.
The day before a race meeting, she might snack on a few lollies, that was her food intake, and fluids were a no-no. She would ride plenty of trackwork wearing sweat jackets. That night she had a hot bath while wearing a “heap” of jackets.
The ritual lost her a kilo, maybe a kilo and a half.
Race day kicked off with another hot bath wearing the jackets.
“The race was fine, the adrenaline would kick in,” Bishop said. “The day before, and the morning of races, I’d feel a bit flat. It was just about dehydrating, getting rid of all the fluid. After 11 years of that, it gets to you after a while.”
Bishop ended life as a jockey in glory last Wednesday, riding Exalted Traveller to a win in the final race at Balaklava in the season-ending meeting.
It was a “fairytale and special day”.
On Saturday, Bishop opened the door on the next chapter of her racing career when she formed a training partnership with Oakbank’s John Dunn, her boss when she started her apprenticeship in 2008.
“We work well together and he has taught me so much,” Bishop said. “When he is not around, I’m the boss.”
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Tony and Calvin McEvoy had the leading stable in South Australia last season, followed by Phillip Stokes, Will Clarken and the Jolly partnership of Richard and Chantelle.
Tenth on the metro list with 14 wins from 64 starts was Morphettville-based Travis Doudle, who is tipped to have a greater influence this season.
Another stable capable of growing in stature belongs to Shayne Cahill, who still rides and will be on board Doudle’s Mr Hamilton at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
Sam Burford is getting a nice team together, while Jon O’Connor has started the season in style.
Originally published as Krystal Bishop joins forces with trainer John Dunn after retiring from riding