Victoria Derby-winning jockey Tye Angland taking on the wheelchair rugby scene with success

A freak accident ended former jockey Tye Angland’s riding career but he continues to inspire with his sporting prowess, this time on the wheelchair rugby court.

The competitive streak that won the 2017 Victoria Derby still resides in Tye Angland almost six years after the sudden end to his terrific riding career.

Angland became a quadriplegic in a fall in Hong Kong in November 2018, a little over 12 months after riding Ace High to his Victoria Derby triumph for Sydney trainer David Payne.

He rode 996 winners, including 11 at Group 1 level, in his time in the saddle before fate intervened.

• ‘I’ll remember him forever’: Kah pays tribute to Colin McKenna

However, Angland inspired many people, in and out of racing, with his bravery during his gruelling rehabilitation period.

Now 35, Angland started a lawnmowing business with a custom-made mower but now manages the rides of his good mate, Sydney jockey Josh Parr.

“The mowing has quietened down now because all the properties are developed around my area now,” Angland said.

“But that was good.

Tye Angland reflects on his Victoria Derby triumph on Ace High in 2017 Picture: Richard Dobson

“I enjoy doing things outdoors so that was really good fun.

“Managing jockeys can be a little bit frustrating, especially when you want to be out there and doing it.

“But I get a lot of pleasure out of getting him (Josh) on winners, it’s great.”

But Angland still finds time for the crash-and-bash of wheelchair rugby.

Quarter is not given in wheelchair rugby, which was previously known as “murderball’, as heavy collisions between wheelchairs are constant, and expected.

Wheelchair capsizing is a regular occurrence, but Angland thrives on the contest, progressing to play in the Wheelchair Rugby National Championships.

“A handful of guys in chairs that I did rehab with, they ended up going and playing,” Angland said.

“I ended up giving it a go and enjoying it. It’s brutal.

“They just crash into us. It’s great.

“I always enjoyed being competitive, especially when I was riding.

“To be able to do a sport and be in a wheelchair, it’s fun.”

When he’s not taking no prisoners on the wheelchair rugby court, Angland spends time coaching young jockeys at the NSW Training Academy.

Apprentices get the wisdom gained from almost 1000 wins and experience riding in England, Dubai, Japan and France as well as Australia and Hong Kong.

Tye Angland with David Payne after Ace High’s Victoria Derby success in 2017 Picture: Paul Rovere/Getty Images

Amazingly, Ace High was Angland’s only win in Melbourne.

Angland won the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on Ace High but faced a tough decision when assessing his options for the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.

A family engagement complicated his deliberation, but Angland nailed the choice.

“I was actually booked to ride Astoria in the lead-up race, so I had to ask politely to get off him and ended up sticking with Ace High,” Angland said.

• ‘Going to be a hot race’: Kitten to fly in Golden Eagle

“I had my brother’s wedding leading into the Spring Champion, so I wanted a commitment that I was on a good chance in the race.

“(Trainer) James (Cummings) had locked me into Astoria but I ended up switching because I thought Ace High was a bit better, so I went that way.”

Ace High narrowly won the Spring Champion Stakes but prevailed in decisive fashion in the Victoria Derby four weeks later.

“He didn’t have a brilliant turn of foot, so you just had to get him rolling into it,” Angland said.

Tye Angland (far left) ahead of a wheelchair rugby game

“He was a great stayer and good for my career at that stage.”

Unfortunately, Angland won’t be at Flemington on Saturday, but he will have an interest in the 2024 Victoria Derby.

Parr will ride last Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes winner El Castello for Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings in the Derby.

Bookies believe El Castello is poised to give Angland another Derby win of sorts, posting the three-year-old as the favourite for Saturday’s $2 million event.

Originally published as Victoria Derby-winning jockey Tye Angland taking on the wheelchair rugby scene with success