Popular Queensland jockey Tony Pattillo, a notable absentee from Saturday’s Ipswich Cup meeting, has revealed he is unlikely to ride again.
The 44-year-old has taken a job at the Gladstone oil refinery and is enjoying his new life.
“I finally got sick and tired of wasting. My body is telling me it is time,” Pattillo said.
“I didn’t want to train, be a stable foreman, track work rider or a steward.”
“That just about covered all my options in racing so I wanted to try something different while I am young enough.
“You can say I am in pre-retirement. I love my family and want to spend decent time with them. I haven’t missed the boys’ football on Saturday mornings since I made the decision.”
“If I was still riding every Saturday I would still be in the steam bath trying to get that extra bit of weight off.”
Pattillo won last year’s Ipswich Cup on Anagold but is best remembered for the 2005 meeting when he won all three feature races, the Gai Waterhouse Classic on Au Chocolat, the Eye Liner on Nessuno and the Cup on Forest Jim.
Some of his other big wins include the Brisbane Cup (Art Success), Lord Mayor’s Cup (Forgotten Hero), Grand Prix (Spurson), Doomben Slipper (Youthful Jack), Rockhampton Cup (Gene’s Interest, Directors Special), Toowoomba Cup (Sir Sensible), and Weetwood Handicap (Kidman’s Cove).
Pattillo said he would miss racing and had many fond memories.
“I had to take off three kilograms to have my first ride and I could only get 2-1/2 off,” he said.
“They all told me I had 12 months at the most but I have survived 25 years and had plenty of highs and lows.”
Pattillo also takes with him a share of injuries with half a collarbone missing and steel holding a wrist together.
“But I wouldn’t trade a minute of it,” he said.
“It was a wonderful ride but now it is time for something else.”
