Jockey regains that winning feeling after living in his car

JOCKEY Ryan Plumb has opened up about the life-changing decisions made while living out of his car.

Former Victorian jockey Ryan Plumb spent 14 months away from racing. Picture: Jessica Hawks, Trackside Photography

JOCKEY Ryan Plumb has opened up about the life-changing decisions made while living out of his car.

Plumb has found a new lease on life since arriving in Queensland six weeks ago and it showed on Saturday as he rode Charlie Cat and Le Dude to victory on the Gold Coast.

It is a vast change of circumstances for the 27-year-old, who spent 14 months out of the sport.

Early last year Plumb was classed as a missing person after leaving his Melbourne home to go to buy cigarettes amid the breakdown of his marriage.

Jockey Ryan Plumb after winning on Charlie Cat at the weekend. Picture credit: Jessica Hawks, Trackside Photography

He spent many nights thinking about his life while sleeping in his car 10 minutes from his house in Chelsea Heights where his wife and children Olivia, now 4, and Chase, 2, were.

“I spent a lot of time contemplating whether I was leading the life I wanted to lead,” Plumb said. “I stayed at a friend’s house one night, slept in my car one night and after the third day I came back.

“I was deciding whether to end the marriage or not. We were having a lot of problems.

“We split up then and that was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life.”

It resulted in his ex-wife returning home to Hong Kong.

Plumb, the son of Lyle, once a trainer for Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams, put his career on hold to become a single father. It ­derailed a promising ­career of more than 400 winners.

“I was happy to give it away and put the kids first because I knew racing is every day of the week and happens all year round and will keep happening,’’ Plumb said.

“I got my priorities sorted again and waited for them to get old enough so they could go to day care.’’

Plumb finally found enough stability in February to return to riding and three months working with sports psychologist Dave Williams — at ­Racing Victoria’s request as part of having his ­licence reinstated — had him back in the saddle in May.

Plumb’s parents were pillars of support during his turmoil and when they decided to move to Queensland — his sister also trains on the Gold Coast — he saw it as a perfect chance at a fresh start with new partner Jane and his children. “I’m in a really good place now,” Plumb said.

Ryan Plumb gets home aboard Le Dude on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jessica Hawks, Trackside Photography

Originally published as Jockey regains that winning feeling after living in his car