Episode 447: Jess Taylor

Popular Jess Taylor brought up a very distinguished milestone at the Sapphire Coast meeting on July 30th. She bounced straight to the lead on Kiss the Colours in a 1000m maiden for her great supporter Joe Cleary. The 3YO filly went on to win easily to give Jess her 500th win in twelve years of race riding. Since then she’s reeled off another twelve wins, including a double at the Sapphire Coast on Nov 2nd. Jess joined us on the podcast last week to talk about her notable achievement. She admits to being surprised when informed her 500 win tally was looming.  Jess looks back on that special race at the Sapphire Coast. She talks about the standing of female riders in the current era. Jess takes us back to childhood days on the NSW Central Coast, and the influence of her mother Fione. She pays tribute to her “dream pony” Miller. The jockey says her life changed from the moment retired thoroughbreds came onto the family property. She talks of her introduction to trackwork at nearby Gosford racecourse. Jess remembers her lucky break in being able to land an apprenticeship with respected Gosford trainer Albert Stapleford. She looks back with some embarrassment on her first race ride at Cessnock. Jess says her first city performance was much better.  The jockey has never forgotten the support given her by Gosford trainer Carmen Murnane who supplied her magical first winner on the new Tuncurry-Forster track. Jess talks of the short lived University course she began during her time with the Stapleford stable. She looks back on the wise counsel of the astute trainer. Jess remembers a winning double at Dubbo which caught the eye of Warwick Farm trainer Mark de Montfort.  She talks of the valuable tuition offered by the former outstanding jockey.  Jess looks back on her first city winner, and the support of several other Warwick Farm trainers. The jockey has fond memories of her first black type win. She talks about her four Gr 1 rides to date. Jess talks about the inevitable accidents, including two that happened within a short space of time. She looks back on another serious accident that had nothing to do with race riding.  Jess recalls her frustration that she wasn’t able to win a race at Randwick during her apprenticeship. She quickly corrected that anomaly. The jockey pays special tribute to Kembla trainer Theresa Bateup for whom she’s ridden more winners than any other trainer. Jess and partner Katie are raising two wonderful kids on the Central Coast. She talks warmly of Evelyn and Noah. Jess doesn’t take for granted her ability to ride at a featherweight. She hopes one day it might earn her the ride on a lightweight chance in a high profile race. A laid back chat with the newest member of the “500 Club”.