Episode 504: Adam Hyeronimus

Good to catch up with a young jockey who’s forged a prominent spot among the powerful Sydney riding ranks in recent years. The Waterhouse/Bott duo supply regular rides to Adam Hyeronimus  in recognition of his unrelenting work ethic. He currently has 4 Gr 1 winners on his CV along with numerous stakes wins. We were able to pin Adam down last week for a lengthy chat about the early days of his apprenticeship and the road he’s since travelled.  He begins by referencing the wonderful support he receives from Tulloch Lodge. Adam says he’s no natural lightweight and needs to watch his diet at all times. It’s well known that Adam descends from a family of jockeys on both sides of his pedigree. He pays tribute to those who’ve preceded him.  Adam makes special mention of his maternal grandfather the late Reg Paine, a former legend on western districts tracks. He also acknowledges the deeds of uncles Neil and Rodney Paine, both talented riders in their own right. He explains that two of his cousins are married to high profile jockeys. The popular jockey looks back on early days at Cowra when he gained expert riding tuition from a local trainer. He talks about a succession of trainers with whom he spent parts of his apprenticeship. Adam clearly recalls his first ever race ride at Bathurst in 2008. He looks back on his time with Grafton trainer John Shelton who supplied his first winning ride. Adam takes no credit for the win. With Shelton’s support Hyeronimus decided to finish his apprenticeship in Sydney. He had a short time with Jason Coyle before transferring to Gai Waterhouse. He says it was a long time before Gai found him a job. Adam received an immense thrill when he was able to win the inaugural Kosciuszko for his old boss John Shelton. He talks affectionately of the veteran bush gelding Belflyer. He’d been having back problems before he was dislodged from a horse at Randwick on Everest day 2019. The harmless tumble exacerbated his problems to the extent that he was sidelined for 3 months. Adam recalls how close he went to opening his Gr 1 account on outsider Prince Fawaz in the Rosehill Guineas. He gave Castelvecchio a big fright. He says he didn’t have to wait long to get the Gr 1 monkey off his back. Just one week later he led all the way to win the Vinery Stud Stakes for Waterhouse/Bott on Shout The Bar. Many people in racing address Adam by the nickname of “Hippo”. He explains how and when his well known sobriquet originated. The jockey looks back on the lowest point in his career- the prolonged investigation into his betting activities which would see him banned for two years and four months. He talks of the impact it had on his life and the time he spent in outside employment. Adam says his weight soared during the long layoff. He talks of his change in attitude after such a major disruption to his livelihood. Hyeronimus was chuffed to win his second Gr 1 on the gutsy filly Tropical Squall for his greatest supporters. The talented jockey was grateful to receive a top Gr 1 ride from the Godolphin organisation in the Spring Champion Stakes. He rode Tom Kitten perfectly to win the important three year old race.  Adam was thrilled to win another Gr 1 on the genuine filly Tropical Squall. He talks of his short but successful association with the imposing colt Storm Boy who’s now in training with Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle. A Magic Millions win was a huge thrill for the jockey. Adam talks of his near miss on Lady Of Camelot in the Blue Diamond Stakes. He thought he was home. A good chat with a young horseman whose future looks assured in the fiercely competitive Sydney jockey’s room.