Episode 337: Andrew Gibbons

Introducing a nice chat with one of Australia’s most consistent jockeys. Andrew Gibbons works hard, travels far and wide and rides winners on a regular basis.  Andrew talks of the freakish fall at Newcastle in July which saw him miss the first three months of the current season. He outlines the injuries incurred and the long road back to race riding. Andrew pays tribute to his twenty year old son Dylan who ranks among Australia’s most promising apprentices. He says he actually discouraged Dylan from becoming a jockey but gave up when the lad persisted. He talks of Dylan’s amazing first season and his Gr 3 winner on Hunter day. Back to Andrew Gibbons who remembers his obsession with sport. One of his chosen pursuits was a most unlikely one. The jockey talks about the pony who taught him the fundamentals of riding and his lucky break in gaining an apprenticeship with a good trainer and mentor. Andrew pays tribute to the former jockey who took an interest in his progress. He remembers the excitement of riding his first winner in 1994. Andrew reflects on his transfer to the big smoke and an apprenticeship to Rosehill trainer Bryan Guy. He remembers one special horse he got to ride for his master.  The popular jockey looks back on a move back to Newcastle at the completion of his indentureship and support from trainers like the late Max Lees. Gibbons talks of his many rides on country tracks with special mention of his happy hunting ground at Grafton. He’s won three important races on the northern rivers track. He talks of his ability to ride at a lighter weight than the majority of jockeys. He says it has already gained him rides in Gr 1 races and hoped there will be more in the future. He talks of some elite horses he’s ridden on the training track. Andrew says he’s been relatively injury free but remembers one freakish accident at Cessnock which left him with nasty injuries to his right foot. He talks of his intention to ride work for more trainers at different tracks.