Episode 514: Angela Jones

Angela Jones has ridden another two winners since our podcast was recorded on Friday Feb 7th. She won the last at Doomben on Master Showman for Stuart Kendrick and scored on Wanganeen for Tony Gollan at Caloundra on Sunday. That makes it 65 in the state and 38 in town for the current season. Angela’s backstory makes for an interesting podcast. She grew up on a sprawling cattle farm 300 kms south west of Mackay where she and four sisters were schooled at home. She could ride a horse at age 3, but had no idea a racing industry existed, until she went to boarding school. Angela begins by confirming that she and partner Kyle Wilson-Taylor talk of little else but racing. She acknowledges how lucky she is to have no weight issues. Angela explains that she rode with no allowance towards the end of her apprenticeship. She was pleasantly surprised when race rides kept coming her way. The twenty three year old takes us back to childhood days on the farm. She says a 20,000 acre spread isn’t all that uncommon in rural Queensland. She remembers early times on horseback including long days with her dad out on the muster. Angela talks more of father Jason, mum Julie and her four sisters. The young jockey explains that Julie and all four sisters live in Toowoomba nowadays. She takes us back to boarding school days in Charters Towers. She chose that particular school only because it provided accommodation for one of her horses. Angela remembers a day at  Charters Towers races where Racing Queensland had installed an information booth. That booth was manned by former champion jockey Shane Scriven. Angela bombarded him with questions about the racing game. She looks back on a happy apprenticeship to Lindsay Hatch and an exciting first day as a professional jockey. She takes us through her Dalby treble. Angela says Lindsay Hatch restricted her to non TAB meetings early days. The trainer didn’t put a race ride her way for quite some time. She looks back on her transition to the provincial circuit and finally a transfer to top Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan. Angela hasn’t forgotten her first meeting with future partner Kyle Wilson-Taylor. The young jockey explains that Tony Gollan arranged extra tuition from retired jockey Robbie Fradd whose stellar international career is well documented. Angela takes us through the horses who’ve impacted her career thus far with special mention of the talented Zarastro. She says wins in the Ipswich and Caloundra Cups have been career highlights. Angela outlines the ambitions she harbours going forward. This is an insight into the life of a very grounded country girl who followed a dream and hasn’t wasted an opportunity.