Episode 407: Christian Reith

Christian Reith was riding winners everywhere when a Newcastle race fall in April of last year left him with vertebrae fractures. Only a week earlier he’d ridden a winning treble at Goulburn. Specialists were adamant he’d be out for at least one year but Christian’s dedication to his rehabilitation saw him gain a clearance after ten months. The talented jockey looks back on the fall that he could see was about to happen. He says the specialists gave him little hope of returning inside a year. Christian looks back on a frustrating ten months on the sidelines. The jockey talks of a relocation to Nelson Bay in the latter part of his rehabilitation. Although committed to stables in the Hunter region he’ll ride in Sydney if the right opportunity comes along. There’s a certain Newcastle three year old right now who’s certain to lure him to town. Christian talks of the loyalty extended to him by the owner and trainer of Promitto. The jockey looks back on a Brisbane apprenticeship and the thrill of his first win. His first city win took a while to come around. Christian talks of a nasty fall in which he was involved at Caloundra early in his career. Little did he know the ramifications of that fall would come back to haunt him. He’s totally honest in talking about the demons he had to battle in the early years of his riding career. He continued to perform at a high level despite some serious emotional issues. The jockey talks of his nervous collapse and a long break from racing. Christian looks back on his return to Sydney in 2009 and the amazing run of success that lay ahead. Many leading stables were chasing his services. He remembers his first Gr 1 win on the brilliant Nechita in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. He says the brilliant mare is the best he’s ridden.  Christian remembers his Gr 1 wins on Complacent, Le Romain and Dixie Blossoms. He reflects on the amazing continuation of racing through strict Covid protocols. Christian talks of his plans to ride regularly in the Hunter region and further north if required. He talks of a winning association with Godolphin before last year’s race fall. Christian says the strength of the riding ranks out of Sydney is often underestimated. He acknowledges the importance of provincial and country racing to jockeys who are overlooked in the city.