Group 1 winning Queensland based jockey Ryan Wiggins is a fan of Hong Kong racing, would love to be riding Ka Ying Rising and is a keen traveller; learn more about him with our QUICK QUESTIONS…
What is your first racing memory?
Going to the races when I was a kid to watch my Dad ride and in between races playing touch footy with all the other jockey’s kids.
Who is your favourite horse and why?
Would have to Famous Seamus who I was lucky enough to ride my first Group 1 on in Queensland.
And the best horse you have seen?
Winx is the best horse I have ever raced against, I ran fourth to her in the Sunshine Coast Guineas, the first of an amazing run of consecutive wins.
Which horse currently racing would you love to be riding?
Ka Ying Rising would be a horse I would love to ride; his speed and stamina is unmatched against some of the best horses in the world.
What is one change/improvement you’d love to see in racing?
One thing that needs to be changed in racing is getting crowds back to races, racing is the best sport in the world to watch live.
What is your favourite pastime outside of racing?
My favourite thing to do outside racing is travel. I feel like racing consumes you so much when you are a young jockey. So every year I like taking a couple overseas trips.
What slogan summarizes your outlook on life?
My favourite slogan in life is “a wonderful thought is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t happened yet.”
Favourite food?
Can’t beat a good medium rare Wagyu sirloin and a whisky sour to wash it down.
Favourite racecourse?
My favourites I have been to would have to be Sha Tin and Happy Valley. They get massive crowds at the night meetings, there is entertainment and a great atmosphere – they do it right over there.
If you weren’t a jockey what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t a jockey I would have probably been a trainer.