IT’S every jockey’s dream to ride a winner on debut!
Kembla Grange apprentice Jordan Quince did just that at Queanbeyan on Saturday – but what made her achievement all the more remarkable is the distance she travelled to achieve it.
The 21-year-old, who is apprenticed to Joe Ible, hails from Port Headland in Western Australia, and came from one side of the country to the other to pursue her dream.
Quince rode as someone with more experience than a rookie apprentice competing in a race for the first time when she ducked back to the inside in the straight on $6 chance Sakimarjuel to land the Maiden Handicap (1000m) for Queanbeyan trainer Rex Cole.
Though eligible to claim 4kg, Quince, who rides at 54.5kg, could use only 0.5kg of that allowance, but it didn’t matter.
Sakimarjuel, a four-year-old gelding, broke through at his 13th start, defeating Dollythediva ($3.50) and Network Factor ($4.60).
Understandably still coming back to earth following such a dream start to her career, Quince on Sunday told the tale of how she came to travel across the nation to become a jockey.
“I’m not from a racing family, but I had a passion for horses and horse movies from the time I was a young girl,” she said.
Quince attended rodeo competitions around 11 or 12 years of age, and when she went to boarding school at Narrogin and was able to do two weeks’ work experience with a racing stable, her career desire was fuelled.
She spent time with trainer Nat Burke, who showed her some of the finer points of the industry in caring for the horses and also riding trackwork.
Quince travelled the northern circuit in WA, helping Burke campaign her team at tracks such as Broome, Carnarvon and Roebourne, and even her native Port Headland.
When she turned 18, she made up her mind to head across to New South Wales, considering there were better opportunities to progress her career instead of staying at home.
She started out with trainer Stephen Jones at Scone before joining father and son Richard and Will Freedman in Sydney at Rosehill Gardens.
“Once the Freedmans got my ticket to ride in trials, they sent me to Glen Milligan at Taree to gain further experience,” Quince explained.
“Zac Wadick (now apprenticed to leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup and making a name for himself on the provincial circuit) was with Glen at the time.
“Joe (Ible) was looking for an apprentice, and it was recommended by the Apprentices’ School that I transfer to him.
“It has been a beaut move. It’s a great stable to work for.”
Quince rode in 25 trials at tracks such as Kembla Grange, Moruya, Canberra, Canterbury, Muswellbrook, Scone, Taree, Coffs Harbour and Tuncurry, and finally gained the “green light” from stewards to begin her career in the saddle.
That was aboard Sakimarjuel’s stablemate Trust Bill (who was her second mount later in the day at Quenabeyan on Saturday) in a 900m trial on the ACTON (synthetic track) at Canberra just a week before she made her racing debut.
Quince’s debut triumph on Sakimarjuel put the icing on a plan worked out by her master.
“Jordan not only rode for trainer Rex Cole in that Canberra trial, but also went to Queanbeyan last week to ride work for him to get accustomed to both horses,” Ible said.
“Winning at her first ride was a fantastic achievement, and something pretty rare,” Ible said.
“Jordan is a lovely young woman, and has a terrific work ethic.
“She has a lot of natural talent, and it’s hard work which will now put the polish on her riding.”
. HOOFNOTE: Quince was able to enjoy a day off on Sunday to briefly bask in the glory of her special achievement.
But it’s back to work on Monday morning as she looks forward to her next riding assignment at Moruya on Friday.
Story John Curtis, June 23, 2024 - Pics supplied
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