Michael Coleman
Trish Dunell
Space won't be at a premium in northern jockeys' rooms between now and the end of the season.
Michael Coleman is the latest to join the list of senior riders who are unlikely to be in action again in the current racing season, which concludes at the end of July.
The 47-year-old, who rode his 2000th New Zealand winner when successful aboard August Edition on his home track at Matamata last month, recently underwent successful knee surgery.
"I had some repair work done and I'll probably take the rest of the season off," Coleman said. "That may change, but at this stage I'm not in any hurry to get back."
Opie Bosson, Craig Grylls, Leith Innes and Jason Waddell are other senior northern jockeys who will be absent until the 2017-18 season.
Bosson hasn't ridden since he was stood down from riding on Queensland Derby day due to a viral infection and he is booked to depart at the end of this month on a European holiday, as is Leith Innes.
He copped a 12-day suspension for his ride on Counterattack in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap and that was further compounded by a four-day ban for careless riding at Ruakaka.
Grylls is currently on vacation in Tahiti and on his return he will be taking up a three-month contract in Singapore.
Waddell's season was prematurely ended by a trackwork fall in April, after which he opted to bring forward surgery to remove a plate and screws in his leg after a soccer injury suffered more than a year ago.
In other jockey news, Matt Cameron is now on a three week break while apprentice Rebecca Goldsbury has undertaken a three-week riding stint in Queensland.
Other riders who have upcoming overseas ventures are Danielle Johnson, who will participate in an international female jockeys' series in Sweden next month, and Cameron Lammas.
He has accepted an invitation from Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry principal Lang Lin to ride at two meetings there on July 6 and 8. – NZ Racing Desk.
Michael Coleman is the latest to join the list of senior riders who are unlikely to be in action again in the current racing season, which concludes at the end of July.
The 47-year-old, who rode his 2000th New Zealand winner when successful aboard August Edition on his home track at Matamata last month, recently underwent successful knee surgery.
"I had some repair work done and I'll probably take the rest of the season off," Coleman said. "That may change, but at this stage I'm not in any hurry to get back."
Opie Bosson, Craig Grylls, Leith Innes and Jason Waddell are other senior northern jockeys who will be absent until the 2017-18 season.
Bosson hasn't ridden since he was stood down from riding on Queensland Derby day due to a viral infection and he is booked to depart at the end of this month on a European holiday, as is Leith Innes.
He copped a 12-day suspension for his ride on Counterattack in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap and that was further compounded by a four-day ban for careless riding at Ruakaka.
Grylls is currently on vacation in Tahiti and on his return he will be taking up a three-month contract in Singapore.
Waddell's season was prematurely ended by a trackwork fall in April, after which he opted to bring forward surgery to remove a plate and screws in his leg after a soccer injury suffered more than a year ago.
In other jockey news, Matt Cameron is now on a three week break while apprentice Rebecca Goldsbury has undertaken a three-week riding stint in Queensland.
Other riders who have upcoming overseas ventures are Danielle Johnson, who will participate in an international female jockeys' series in Sweden next month, and Cameron Lammas.
He has accepted an invitation from Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry principal Lang Lin to ride at two meetings there on July 6 and 8. – NZ Racing Desk.