Jeff Lloyd revels in victory reception as he becomes oldest jockey to win the Qld metro title
JEFF Lloyd received one of his biggest receptions of the season after making his premiership win official aboard Rebel Miss at Doomben on Saturday.
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JEFF Lloyd received one of his biggest receptions of the season after making his premiership win official aboard Rebel Miss at Doomben on Saturday.
But it wasn’t a delirious group of owners or pocket-filled punters, it was his extended family celebrating his history-making premiership winning feat.
Wife Nicola had made a surprise trip to Doomben with sons Zac and Jaden and a big support party to congratulate the 54-year-old on his premiership win.
“Coming back I was thinking ‘I had no idea this horse had so many owners’. It’s a total surprise and I wasn’t expecting that,” Lloyd said.
The South African jockey completed his fairytale season in fitting style when he completed a winning double on Sagaronne in the final event.
“What a way to finish off a great season,” he said.
The only downside was a nine-day suspension handed down by stewards for an infringement in the fifth event.
Lloyd revealed he had thought about the premiership for a long time.
After deciding to come back to riding after a stroke in 2013, he was determined not just to be making up the numbers, given the remarkable career he had enjoyed around the world.
“I wasn’t happy thinking that was the end of my career,” he said. “I set myself a challenge to ride at the highest level again and it’s very satisfying to have achieved this.
“Fortunately I haven’t had a problem or injury, which has been great for me.
“I had a look this week to see which trainer I had ridden the most for, but there wasn’t just one. There has been about eight or nine trainers who have given me a lot of support and I am very grateful for that.”
Lloyd becomes the oldest jockey ever to win the Queensland metropolitan title and the man he deposed, Jim Byrne, was full of credit for the achievement.
“If anyone was going to beat me, I’m glad it was Jeff,” Byrne said. “I know how hard he has worked. I’m ticked off I haven’t won, but Jeff is a great guy, a gentleman and it’s well deserved.”
Jeff Lloyd absolute champion and just as big a gentleman. Well done on the premiership mate! ðŸ‡ðŸ’¨ðŸ’¨
— Adrian Layt (@adrianlayt) July 30, 2016
#JeffLloyd is not a star. He's a SUPERSTAR💪He's a LEGEND. Great advertisement for everything good about racing. An inspiration to manyðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘
— RacingB*tch (@Racingb_tch) July 30, 2016
Jeff Lloyd's family surprise him at Doomben as he wins the Brisbane Jockeys' Premiership. Nice touch pic.twitter.com/NW2rphdH35
— brad davidson (@braddavo) July 30, 2016
Nicola Lloyd described her husband as “a medical marvel” in a touching social media post.
“One would think after riding 5000 winners and 94 Group 1s around the world you would have lost your drive and your desire, and would have been satisfied to just enjoy retirement,” she wrote.
“But that is the furthest thing from the truth because even after looking death in the face, you still push yourself, still strive for excellence ... looking to keep improving yourself and always making sure you show our boys what it takes to make a champion in sport.”
REDNAV ON RIGHT TRACK FOR ROOKIE
REDNAV has earned the title of “lazy” from jockey Peter Graham, but you can’t fault the work he is doing at the end of his races at the moment.
Rednav made it three wins on end when rounding up a small field to give trainer Sally Taylor her first city winner at her maiden attempt yesterday.
Rednav had won the Grafton Cup at his previous start and Taylor now has her eyes on September’s Newcastle Cup.
Rednav was an alarming drifter ($3.30-$4) and it looked like the mail was right when Graham was scrubbing him coming to the turn, but the son of Henrythenavigator put his mind on the job when heads turned for home.
“He’s a pretty lazy fella. He takes a bit of winding up,” Graham said.
“He’s certainly a nice horse for a young trainer like Sally kicking off and she’s got the horse looking terrific at the moment.”
Northern Rivers-based Graham said he had to re-acquaint himself with the Doomben track given it’s been a long time since he travelled north.
“I reckon it’s something like six-eight years since I’ve been here. It’s a long time anyway. At least we were able to make the trip worthwhile.”
Taylor only has 10 horses in the stable and also works fulltime in a Telstra shop in Coffs Harbour for Rednav’s owner Peter Wood.
“It’s pretty amazing to get my first city winner with my first runner,” she said.
“We will take him home now and have a look at the Newcastle Cup (in September).”
THE PREMIERSHIP WINNERS
SYDNEY
Trainer: CHRIS WALLER — 169 wins (record)
Jockey: JAMES McDONALD — 89.5 wins
MELBOURNE
Trainer: DARREN WEIR — 106 wins
Jockey: CRAIG WILLIAMS — 70 wins
BRISBANE
Trainer: TONY GOLLAN — 87.5 wins (record)
Jockey: JEFF LLOYD — 80 wins
ADELAIDE
Trainer: PHILLIP STOKES — 50 wins
Jockey: JASON HOLDER — 53 wins
Originally published as Jeff Lloyd revels in victory reception as he becomes oldest jockey to win the Qld metro title
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