Apprentices pose biggest challenge to James McDonald in Sydney jockeys premiership

The Sydney jockeys premiership could be signalling a changing of the guard with a talented trio of apprentices hot on the heels of James McDonald.

Could the unthinkable happen and James McDonald not win the 2022/23 Sydney Jockeys Premiership? Picture: Peter Lorimer

Could the unthinkable happen and champion jockey James McDonald’s Sydney premiership defence be thwarted by an apprentice rider?

With the 2022-23 racing season nearing the halfway point, McDonald has ridden 46 city winners and is seemingly on track for his fifth successive Sydney jockeys title.

But what is interesting is the next three riders in the premiership rankings are apprentices – which is unique for Sydney racing.

Tyler Schiller, Sydney’s reigning champion apprentice, has ridden 36 winners to be in second position in the jockeys premiership, followed by Zac Lloyd on 31 wins and Dylan Gibbons 30 wins.

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Tyler Schiller sits second on the Sydney premiership table. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

McDonald is still at unbackable odds to retain the Sydney premiership but the window is open slightly for his challengers.

The superstar jockey will be riding interstate at the Melbourne autumn and Brisbane winter carnivals later this year and there is also the likelihood he could ride in England during the northern hemisphere summer.

But an apprentice rider has not won a Sydney jockey premiership since Hall of Famer “Miracle” Mal Johnston rode 107.5 wins to take out the 1975-76 title.

Johnston’s response was immediate and emphatic when asked by News Corp if McDonald could be challenged for the premiership by the trio of star apprentices, Schiller, Lloyd and Gibbons.

“No!” Johnston said.

“But James will be aware of these kids coming through, they will be on his radar.

“Even though J-Mac is likely to be away from Sydney a bit this year he will still win the premiership. Everyone wants him on their horses, he commands the best rides and has the pick of rides from the Chris Waller stable.

“The real challenge for Tyler, Zac and Dylan will be during the autumn carnival because it is harder for apprentices to get rides on the feature racedays.’’

Malcolm Johnston back in his riding days.

Schiller, who rode a double at Canterbury last Friday night then partnered Smokeshow to success at Randwick on Saturday, said the thought of challenging McDonald for the Sydney jockey premiership had not even crossed his mind.

“All I’m focused on is trying to win the apprentice title again,’’ Schiller said.

“James McDonald is a pretty quick ‘bunny’ to catch and I don’t think we will be catching him.

“But all the apprentices are going really well, we are all great friends and the competition is driving each of us to be better riders.

“There are so many good senior jockeys in Sydney racing so it’s good the apprentices are going well this season.

“Obviously, it is going to be difficult for me now that I’ve outridden my claim but I’m just trying to keep the momentum going until I improve enough to get more rides.’’

Apprentice Dylan Gibbons is a star on the rise. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Schiller won the apprentice title with 46 wins last season but with the competition from Lloyd and Gibbons driving each young rider, they could challenge the modern-day record for a Sydney apprentice of 60 wins set by Tye Angland in 2006-07.

Johnston said the premiership rankings at the halfway mark of the season could be signalling a “changing of the guard” in Sydney racing.

“Hughie (Bowman) wants to stay in Hong Kong and Tommy Berry’s immediate riding future is up in the air so there are opportunities for these young riders,’’ Johnston said.

“I can’t remember Sydney having so many talented apprentice riders at the one time.

“You often have a dominant apprentice but to have three of them in the top four of the jockeys premiership is something I’ve never seen before.’’

Zac Lloyd after a recent Randwick winner. Picture: Jason McCawley-Getty Images

2022-23 Sydney jockey premiership standings

TOP FIVE

James McDonald 46 wins

Tyler Schiller (a) 36 wins

Zac Lloyd (a) 31 wins

Dylan Gibbons (a) 30 wins

Tim Clark 25 wins

■ Last apprentice to win a Sydney jockey premiership

1975-76 – Malcolm Johnston 107.5 wins

Kevin Langby 88 wins

Originally published as Apprentices pose biggest challenge to James McDonald in Sydney jockeys premiership