We’ve read so many stories lately about apprentice jocks not riding with vigour.
And, if we’re being honest, we’ve reported them too. They have been very bad looks for the sport and those youngsters will learn valuable lessons.
Ok then.
For the sake of balance, apprentice riders Australia-wide need to have a look at this unknown 3kg kid ride yesterday at Dubbo.
His name is Ronald Simpson and this is how every punter wants to see his horse ridden and EVERY apprentice should rewind and watch this performance a few times.
Simpson is hungry and is a horseman. He gets horses to run for him and if he stays the course you just know he’s going places.
Just look at the way he steered this horse, ALL HOLLYWOOD (All American-Meghalaya) from her outside gate, into a good spot then weaved with balance and vigour and purpose through the field. Poetry in motion.
Simpson is just 20 years of age and this was his 4th winner from his past 15 rides.
In that time, he’s ridden a further 3 x 2nd placegetters and 5 x times finished 3rd.
He’s apprenticed to Brett Thompson out west and Simpson himself comes from Brewarrina. He can ride at 51kg.
And I’ll tell a man now, he is good. Potentially very good in fact.
He was out of the saddle for two years, almost to the day after an horrific incident at Coonabarabran in April of 2018. He lost his irons coming to the bend and the horse took control spearing off the track and dumping him. He only resumed race riding in April this year.
This is the circle of life. In the week we sadly lose perhaps the greatest Aboriginal jockey Australia has seen in Darby McCarthy, along comes this young Aboriginal lad with extraordinary riding skills.
We wish him all the best and I’m certain we’ll see him ride in town.
