Jockey Andrew Mallyon carries a little piece of Ukraine in Keith Noud Quality win at Doomben

Queensland jockey Andrew Mallyon carried a little piece of what he wore in war-torn Ukraine when he scored the feature race at Doomben on Saturday.

Jockey Andrew Mallyon wears a “morale patch” from Ukraine on his riding breeches to win the Listed Keith Noud on Bubba’s Bay at Doomben. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Jockey Andrew Mallyon carried a little piece of what he wore on his body armour in war-torn Ukraine to victory in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Doomben on Saturday.

Mallyon scored the 1200m feature handicap at Doomben wearing a Ukraine “morale patch” partly featuring Ukraine and Australian flags on his riding breeches.

Earlier this year, Mallyon and his mate and fellow jockey Craig Williams ventured to Ukraine on a humanitarian mission where Mallyon used his medical qualification in trauma first response to administer vital medical aid to an injured Ukrainian soldier near the front line.

The Queensland jockey was proud to win the Keith Noud on Kris Lees’ mare Bubba’s Bay with a reminder of his Ukraine visit present on his riding gear.

Bubba's Bay wins a thrilling Listed Keith Noud, and that's three wins in a row for the @Leesracing trained mare! @mallyon_andrew | @BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/gLFhWxaa7V

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 9, 2024

“It’s called a morale patch, I wore that on my body armour in Ukraine,” Mallyon told Racenet.

“They make them in Ukraine and they put them on your body armour or helmet.

“It was great to see Craig (Williams) win the Group 1 Champions Mile on Mr Brightside today too, there might be a bit more money in the kitty for the next visit to help out in Ukraine.”

While senior jockey Mallyon won the feature at Doomben, apprentice jockeys also had a field day.

Junior riders won the first four races at Doomben and five of the first six.

Apprentice Bailey Wheeler, not long back from a shoulder injury, scored an early double which included riding Chris Waller-trained Ring Me Up to victory in the famous all cerise colours of the Ingham family.

Meanwhile, third placed Group 1 Queensland Derby finisher Felix The Scat returned from a spell with a stylish win in the Class 3 Plate over 1615m under Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

Felix The Scat wins for trainer Tony Gollan and jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Wilson-Taylor was also in the saddle when the Tony Gollan-trained galloper was last seen in Queensland’s premier three-year-old staying contest behind dominant winner Warmonger in June.

“I’m just grateful that Tony Gollan and the connections have kept me on him,” Wilson-Taylor said.

“Felix is a bit of an enigma but he has been a revelation this preparation.”

Felix The Scat wins first up at Doomben and it’s a double to @tonygollan 👏@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/8XtFTvf0UT

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 9, 2024

Felix The Scat started the well-backed $3.10 favourite, coming off a sharp 1200m trial at Deagon last month which he won by five lengths.

The now four-year-old gelding has always had plenty of potential but has at times struggled to fulfil it – this was just his second win from 16 starts.

Originally published as Jockey Andrew Mallyon carries a little piece of Ukraine in Keith Noud Quality win at Doomben