Trish Dunell
Sam Weatherley was dominant in the apprentice jockey ranks in the 2016-17 season, securing the premiership in his first full season of riding.
The Matamata 18-year-old rode 67 winners, 19 more than his closest rival Jacob Lowry, to take out his first title and attain his season’s target in the process.
“I set a goal to win at least 60 races this season and whatever came after that was a bonus,” he said.
“There was no real intention of winning the apprentices’ premiership until about six months into the season when I really had a good chance to do it.
“I’ve really only been going for 13-14 months so it is something I never thought would happen this season, but I couldn’t be happier.”
Apprenticed to former champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan, Weatherley credits a lot of his development to his master, along with his father Darryn and his army of other supporters.
“Having Lance as my boss has been a huge help in my riding career as well as Dad who was a jockey, he’s a big help as well,” he said.
“I’ve got a good manager too in Mark Claydon, he does a lot for me and has booked a lot of rides.
“I have had some great support this year, obviously from Lance and Andrew (Scott) as well as Shaun Ritchie, Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs and I’ve had a lot of luck with Ross McCarroll.
“Maryanne and George Simon have also been big supporters, it has been a great season.”
A trio of winners at Rotorua on Saturday, including his first stakes victory aboard Gentil Tonton in the Listed Taumarunui Gold Cup, was the highlight of the young rider’s season.
Weatherley finished in the top ten on the jockeys’ premiership and has set loftier targets for next season.
“I just want to keep riding winners. It is going to get a lot harder, I’ve only got about 20 more wins before I lose my one kilo claim.
“I’d like to take the (apprentice) title out again, but also I’d like to set myself a goal of getting into the top five (jockeys’ premiership) overall and reach 80 wins next season.” – NZ Racing Desk.