Eddie Cassar’s son Jacob chasing boxing gold at Commonwealth and Olympic Games

Eddie Cassar hit great heights in the saddle aboard the super galloper Testa Rossa in 1999 but gets a much bigger thrill watching his son on the trail of Commonwealth Games and Olympic gold in the boxing ring.

Jockey Eddie Cassar won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast in 1999. His son Jacob is on the hunt for 2026 Commonwealth Games as a boxer.

Eddie Cassar was once the toast of the Magic Millions but the rush he felt from booting home winners in big races falls well short of the thrill he gets these days.

Cassar won the 1999 Magic Millions 2YO Classic on former super two-year-old Testa Rossa on which he won four of six races before losing the ride to Damien Oliver.

Cassar’s time on Testa Rossa included winning the then Group 1 VRC Sires’ Produce on the Dean Lawson-trained colt, which went on to win another five Group 1 races.

He still rides work at Flemington on most days but Cassar said he gets far more enjoyment from watching his 18-year-old son Jacob in the boxing ring.

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The younger Cassar has won 39 of his 40 amateur fights with his only loss coming by a point in a semi-final of the 60kg class at the World Under 19 Championships in the US.

“I get more pleasure out of watching Jake compete in what he does, which is a tough and totally different sport than what I did myself in racing,” Eddie Cassar said.

“It was great when it was my time and I enjoyed riding but I get so much more pleasure out of watching my son.

“He hasn’t been beaten in Australia and it took a mirror image of him, a Japanese young man, to beat him for his only loss at the World Championships by one point.”

Cassar said he plays a large part in Jacob’s fitness training and nutrition but leaves the boxing side of things to the professionals, a formula that has worked well.

Eddie Cassar steering Testa Rossa to his Magic Millions 2YO Classic triumph in 1999.

“Dad always tells me he trains me like a racehorse,” Jacob said.

“We get our swimming in; we get our walking in and get our running on.”

The boxing prospect was regarded highly enough to be asked to step into the ring with a professional world champion as a 16-year-old in 2022.

“I had the privilege of sparring Devin Haney when he was in Australia getting ready for his fight against George Kambosos,” Cassar said.

“I got some rounds in against him, and it was good to spar him and see what guys at his level can do. The timing of his punches was perfect.”

Jacob recently turned 18, pushing him into the elite category of amateur boxing, also making him eligible for the big tournaments such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

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The young fighter has his eye firmly on next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before he aims for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“He’s got one dream and that’s to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and that’s what he’s aiming for now.”

The hard training routine required to become an elite boxer has made it impossible for the teenager to hold a job, requiring Cassar and his wife, Victoria Racing Club racing development manager Rebecca, to fund their son’s dream.

Young boxer Jacob Cassar, the son of former Group 1-winning jockey Eddie Cassar, is chasing gold for Australia at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Picture: Supplied.

Cassar senior said the financial support is simply what all parents do for their children.

“He trains three times a day, six days a week so he can’t hold a job under those conditions,” Cassar said.

“It does take a financial stress, but like any parent, you do your best for your kids and do your best to make it work.”

Jacob said his almost perfect record makes it hard to find local opponents, requiring regular travel around Australia and overseas.

The youngster has support from the Australian Institute of Sport and sponsors Powerbox and Peak Fitness but is grateful for his parents’ constant support.

“I’m very lucky at the moment that mum and dad are supporting me, but it’s pretty costly,” Jacob said.

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“Now I’m an elite, I can fight anyone in any age group, as long as they’re in my weight division, so hopefully there will be more fights.

“The AIS have helped by subsidising flights and accommodation but it’s still largely a self-funded sport.”

The Cassars’ sacrifices to give their son a chance to chase his dream could all prove worthwhile next winter but there’s still a long road ahead.

“To watch him compete and work towards hopefully getting gold for Australia at the Commonwealth Games, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it,” Eddie said.

Originally published as Eddie Cassar’s son Jacob chasing boxing gold at Commonwealth and Olympic Games