Cover image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Kyle Wilson-Taylor will base himself in New Zealand from August, looking to capitalise on the country’s opportunities while building on momentum already established in Australia.
A Group 1-winning rider, he arrives with both confidence and clarity around what the move could offer and having had a taste of riding in New Zealand, including success at Group 2-level, he already has a fondness for it.
Timing the move
The decision comes as the Queensland Winter Carnival starts to wind down, opening a window that aligns neatly with the start of New Zealand’s season, something Wilson-Taylor identified early.
“I felt that with the Queensland Carnival about to wrap up and some of New Zealand’s good races starting early in the season, it just felt like the timing was right to get over early and to get to work.
“With some of New Zealand’s good races starting early in the season, it just felt like the timing was right to get over early and to get to work.” - Kyle Wilson-Taylor
“I have followed New Zealand racing quite closely in recent times, and a couple of years ago I won on Grail Seeker in the Wellington Guineas at Trentham, and obviously Lance (O'Sullivan) and Andrew (Scott) have been great to me through that connection and I rode Waitak for them in the Quokka.”
That familiarity has helped shape the move into something more calculated than speculative, with existing relationships giving him a foothold before he even arrives.
Kyle Wilson-Taylor | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
Following a proven path
Movement between jurisdictions is nothing new for jockeys, and in recent years New Zealand has proven a productive base for Australian riders willing to relocate.
Matt Cartwright is one such example, having established himself very qucikly and has become a reliable go-to rider in major races, building a strong association with the unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) and trainer Stephen Marsh, and he has now recorded 108 winners in New Zealand, including 16 at Group or Listed level.
Matt Cartwright | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Jake Bayliss is another who enjoyed success during his stint a few years ago, riding 83 winners including 14 at stakes level, highlighted by his Group 1 victory aboard the Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) in the G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes.
Jake Bayliss | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
Wilson-Taylor has taken note of that trend.
“A good amount of Australian jockeys have had good success in New Zealand and the move sounded appealing to me. I'm still young, and myself and Angela (Jones) don't have a family or anything just yet, so if I wanted to travel and ride overseas, now is the best time to do it and there isn't a lot now apart from Hong Kong.
“I have ridden in Singapore once and enjoyed it there, but that is no longer an option. There's probably not a lot other than Hong Kong. It just seemed like a natural sort of progression obviously with the contacts I've already built there.”
Laying the groundwork
While the connection with Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott provides a strong starting point, Wilson-Taylor has ensured he won’t be arriving without support.
A recent trip across the Tasman allowed him to firm up plans and reconnect with key figures.
“Ange and I were actually over in New Zealand a few weeks ago and just touched base with Lance (O’Sullivan) and Andrew (Scott), and made some plans and they said that they were very keen to support me, so my connection having ridden for them before and getting to know them has been a big thing.”
Lance O’Sullivan | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
He has also reached out more broadly to leading stables.
“I’ve also touched base with the likes of Mark Walker at Te Akau, Stephen Marsh, Andrew Forsman. I have touched base with lots of the big trainers already to let them know my plans and that I am coming over to do a job.
“I'll just be working really hard and attempting to make the most of any opportunity that I'm fortunate enough to get.”
Mark Walker | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Based in Matamata and floating between there and Cambridge, Wilson-Taylor is confident he has set a strong platform in his career so far, and is ready to capitalise.
“I feel like I've built up quite a good résumé already here in Australia. I've ridden in a lot of big races and been able to win some big races including at Group 1 level, and I feel like I have responded under that high pressure.
“I’ve got a strong work ethic and another thing that has lured me is that there are a lot of really good horses in New Zealand and there are a lot of up and comers also. I have followed New Zealand racing and have been impressed around the carnival times.
“Hopefully I can do the work and can attach myself to a couple of them. That would be fantastic - that's what we're in the game to do, is try and find good horses and win good races, and that's the bottom line. That's just what I want to do.”
Hitting the ground running
Wilson-Taylor will waste little time getting started, with early season trials already locked in as part of his plan to establish momentum.
“I will head over during the first week of August. I'll be at the Te Rapa trials that first week on August 4 on Tuesday and my first day riding will be on the synthetic track on the Friday.”
“I'll be at the Te Rapa trials that first week on August 4 on Tuesday and my first day riding will be on the synthetic track on the Friday.” - Kyle Wilson-Taylor
Arriving early is a deliberate move to ensure visibility before the better horses return and to give himself more hope of getting on a smart one.
Kyle Wilson-Taylor aboard Grail Seeker | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“The reason for me coming there at the start of the season is really just to get the ball rolling, let everyone get a good look at me before the good horses start to step out, and hopefully we can jag a couple of winners.
“Hopefully that then puts us in good stead for the big races coming up. The trials through August are very strong and there's a lot of good horses to go around.
“Hopefully that (being in NZ early) then puts us in good stead for the big races coming up. The trials through August are very strong and there's a lot of good horses to go around.” - Kyle Wilson-Taylor
“And don't get me wrong, there's a hell of a lot of good jockeys there, there's plenty of good talent, so I'm under no illusions, it's going to be an experience and one I'm ready for.”
A measured approach
Despite the opportunity, Wilson-Taylor’s outlook remains grounded, with a clear focus on consistency rather than expectation.
“I feel like my work ethic will put me in good stead. I've always backed my ability, so hopefully that sort of just takes care of itself.
“I’m under no illusions, I'm not going to just walk in and take over by any means, but I'm certainly going to go and work hard, and hopefully I can get some good opportunities and make the most of them.” - Kyle Wilson-Taylor
“I have no real massive goal or anything like that. I'm just going to go and try and ride winners and the more winners you ride, the more success that comes. I’m under no illusions, I'm not going to just walk in and take over by any means, but I'm certainly going to go and work hard, and hopefully I can get some good opportunities and make the most of them.”
Support on and off the track
Wilson-Taylor’s partner Angela Jones will also play a role as he settles in, having already enjoyed success in New Zealand herself.
A very successful jockey, Jones become the first female to ever claim the Brisbane jockeys' premiership last season. She also claimed the G3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup aboard Santa Catalina (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) on New Year’s Day, as well as an undercard victory aboard Up The Anti (Divine Prophet) for O’Sullivan and Scott.
Currently sidelined through injury, she will spend time in New Zealand during the early stages of the move.
Angela Jones | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
“She's (Angela) going really well with her recovery, and she'll probably be starting to be about ready to ride a bit of trackwork around the time I head over. She will pop over with me and help me settle in for the first few days before she heads back.
“She's (Angela) going really well with her recovery, and she'll probably be starting to be about ready to ride a bit of trackwork around the time I head over.” - Kyle Wilson-Taylor
“I’m going to be staying with Craig Grylls, and I'm going to be managed by Michael Coleman, so I've already got some really good people around me.
“Ange will pop over now and again between races and riding and I will do the same, but it’s not a very long flight, so the logistics should be fine.”
For Wilson-Taylor, the objective is straightforward.
“Most of all I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, working hard, riding winners and hopefully getting on a couple of smart ones that can win some big races.”
