When apprentice Holly Nottle landed the narrowest of victories in a photo-finish aboard Rommel’s Journey at York in Western Australia on Sunday, she created a landmark achievement by reaching the total of one hundred winners faster than any jockey has done before in that state.
Nottle claimed this distinction setting the new record at 291 days, comfortably beating the old mark of 335 days set by Lucy Fiore.
Nottle entered the Racing WA’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program without having any background in racing, so she had to learn every aspect of the game from scratch and has clearly proved to be a fast learner, a trait backed up by a sound work ethic.
“I was just trying to find my feet as an apprentice jockey at first and work out what racing was all about,” Nottle told Racing WA.
“I definitely didn’t think my riding career would start the way it has, it’s all happened quite fast, but it’s been a great journey. I’ve amazed myself on how far I’ve come in the short amount of time.
Nottle, who had her first ride in May last year, is indentured to Greg Kersley who had nothing but praise for the rising star.
“I’m extremely proud of her,” Kersley told Racing WA.
“Holly wasn’t previously involved in racing, so she had no preconceived ideas and just takes everything on board. She doesn’t like losing and even when she’s ridden well, she’s still looking for things she can improve on.
“Horses run for her, they settle for her and they bounce out the barriers for her – you don’t often get all three factors.”
Nottle has also progressed to mixing it with the top jockeys in town and she is enjoying that experience.
“From my first Saturday ‘till now, I feel more relaxed out there,” Nottle told SENtrack. “The races are starting to slow down a bit for me so I can think a bit better.
“I do feel like I am holding my own more now when I’m out there riding, but it is definitely still very humbling when I’m competing against those really great jockeys over here in WA.
“I’m just very grateful to be given the opportunities to do what I am doing.”
Nottle has seven rides on the ten race card at Ascot on Saturday for four different trainers.
