Not only has Ron Quinton been a boss and mentor for Sam Clipperton, he has also provided the young rider with almost all of his milestones in racing.
So it was again at Canterbury on Wednesday when the Quinton-trained All Salsa gave his stable apprentice the winner he needed to outride his metropolitan claim and clinch the junior riders’ premiership for the second year in succession.
“He gave me my first winner in town and my first stakes winner as well,” Clipperton said of Quinton.
“Without Ron giving me opportunities I wouldn’t have had half the success I have had.”
Quinton was champion apprentice in 1966-67 and went on to forge a career as one of Australia’s best jockeys.
He is now a successful trainer and a renowned master of apprentices with top jockey Hugh Bowman among those to have spent time under his wing.
Quinton was thrilled to help Clipperton achieve an important career goal when the 20-year-old rider added to his earlier win aboard the Kris Lees-trained Niobe with victory aboard All Salsa in the Instagram @ ATC_Races Hcp (1250m) at Canterbury.
“I’m just so delighted he did it on one of mine. He’s been with me since he was 15 and I’m very, very proud,” Quinton said.
Clipperton successfully applied for an extension of his apprenticeship earlier this month with the specific goal of outriding his allowance and securing honours as champion junior rider.
He has achieved both of those with two city meetings of the season remaining.
“I’ve been able to achieve two goals in winning the premiership and outriding my claim,” Clipperton said.
“To be able to do it and to be able to do it with Ron makes it that much more special.”
Clipperton been in great form at the back-end of the season and has ridden six winners from his past 25 rides in town.
The challenge he now faces is to maintain his momentum as a senior rider in one of the most competitive racing environments in the world.
While Clipperton had a day to remember it was an afternoon to forget for James McDonald.
McDonald failed to add to his winning tally at Canterbury and remains one win shy of Nash Rawiller in the Sydney jockeys’ premiership with just two city meetings remaining this season.
