Episode 444: Tyler Schiller

Tyler Schiller was always destined to make it to the ranks of Sydney’s top jockeys. After a flying start in the Riverina he was fortunate to gain a start in Sydney with Mark Newnham who had emerged as a master tutor of young riders. Tyler was champion Sydney apprentice in his second season, and has already established himself in the senior ranks. He begins the podcast by heaping praise on the flying Front Page, the horse to give him two Kosciuszko wins in twelve months. Tyler shares a funny sidelight to the Kosciuszko win on October 14th. His mum Susan found an ingenious way to gain entry to the Randwick birdcage. The young jockey talks of the first leg of his double on Everest day. He used great initiative to get Land Legend home in the historic St Leger. He expresses great gratitude for the wonderful run he’s had in his first few months as a fully fledged jockey. Tyler talks about early days in his hometown of Young, and his only sibling’s indifference to horses. He talks of father Glenn’s association with harness horses, and his own involvement with the breed. Tyler gives a shout out to grandfather Peter who’s also had a strong connection to harness horses. He talks of having attained his permit to drive in races, and says he was ready to start when the opportunity arose to become an apprentice jockey. The young jockey talks of his move to the stables of the late Phil Sweeney at Jerilderie, the tiny border town which has strong ties to bushranging history. Tyler talks of the freakish motor accident which almost finished his potential riding career. He remembers with great clarity the thrilling occasion of his first winning ride. The magic moment came at a non TAB meeting on the dirt track at Hillston in the western Riverina.  He says that Lucky Capri’s trainer has remained a close friend and associate.  Tyler recalls the occasion of his first winner at a TAB meeting. He revisits a Wagga win on Gold Touch for Luke Pepper, a trainer who has continued to support him. He says bush jockeys rarely get the opportunity to ride top class horses. He pays tribute to one such horse trained by his master. Tyler says he contacted a few Sydney trainers himself when the time was right to make the transition. The jockey reflects on a magical moment at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day this year- his first Gr 1 victory on Mariamia in The Galaxy. He says the euphoria of his breakthrough win was overshadowed by news of his father’s cancer diagnosis a few days earlier. Mariamia was one of two winners on the day. He remembers Opal Ridge’s brilliant win in the Darby Munro Stakes.  Tyler goes on to talk of Opal Ridge’s subsequent Brisbane form. He acknowledges several horses who’ve helped him to gain a foothold in the ranks of Sydney’s senior ranks. Tyler got a huge thrill to head back to the Riverina last year to win the Albury Gold Cup on Harmony Rose for his boss Mark Newnham. Tyler Schiller is still very much a “bushie” at heart which shows through in this podcast. A nice chat with one of Australia’s most talented young jockeys.