A month after his father’s distinguished career came to an end, Jaden Lloyd is about to begin his own race-riding journey.
The 17-year-old will have his first ride on Saturday, partnering Fortyfivedegrees (Brazen Beau) in the BetEasy 3YO Maiden Plate at Wangaratta.
Among the audience will be his proud father Jeff, who retired from race riding after a Doomben meeting on July 13 and signed off with a fourth consecutive Brisbane jockeys’ premiership. The South African-born rider won more than 90 Group 1 races around the world.
Jeff Lloyd won the AJC Derby aboard Nom Du Jeu in 2008
“I’m actually on the way to pick Dad up from the airport right now,” Jaden Lloyd told TDN Aus NZ. “He’s really looking forward to being there and there’s going to be some great family support.”
Also in the crowd will be his mother Nicola, brother and sister, grandmother and several friends.
“Having this ride for Lindsay Park is an awesome opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “It should be a good day.
“Having this ride for Lindsay Park is an awesome opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it... It should be a good day." - Jaden Lloyd
“I’m apprenticed to Lindsay Park, who are great to work for and have been really good to me.
“They singled out this horse that they wanted me to ride. She ran pretty well in her first start, so she’s got a chance on Saturday and with a bit of luck you never know what can happen.”
Jaden is apprenticed to Lindsay Park
His young career already has strong grounding, with mentoring from his father sitting alongside stints at the South African Jockey Academy and the Racing Victoria Apprentice Training Program.
“I’m in the Racing Victoria program at the moment and really loving it,” he said. “You just try and learn all you can from people like Mr (Darren) Gauci and Mr (Alf) Matthews. They’ve got so much experience and knowledge and are so good at passing that on.
“You just try and learn all you can from people like Mr (Darren) Gauci and Mr (Alf) Matthews. They’ve got so much experience and knowledge and are so good at passing that on." - Jaden Lloyd
“Last year I went over to South Africa and spent about six months at the South African academy. I’m also very grateful to them for the part they’ve played.
“Before I went there, I was a bit stuck. I was still learning how to ride, but didn’t have the opportunity to ride many horses and wasn’t really improving.
“The South African academy gave me the opportunity to ride huge numbers of horses in trackwork in the mornings. It was an experience that really taught me a lot, and I felt like my riding had really developed by the time I finished and came back.”
Jeff Lloyd will follow his son’s progress with pride and interest.
“Both my boys were keen in following my racing when they were younger,” he told Racing Victoria. “Jaden always followed form really well, so I’m glad he’s stayed in the game.
“He’s new to the sport, so at this stage it’s imperative that he listens to his bosses, that’s the first most important thing. Obviously, wherever I can help, I will do so.
“He must listen and try to ride to instructions. The main aim is to try and ride the horse how the trainers would like him to.
“He’s riding a horse that’s inexperienced, only having one start, so it’s not a straightforward first ride, but I just hope that he enjoys it. It’s a big occasion and we will all be there to support him.”
