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Q and A: SA legend Clare Lindop

Former champion South Australia jockey Clare Lindop retired in 2018 and recently had a Listed race renamed in her honour. We asked Clare about her start in racing, her career and its highlights, and a few other things…

 

  1. Way back in 1994, why did you accept the offer of working in a racing stable?

After competing in pony clubs and eventing on my own pony, I started working in a racing stable at the age of 14, mucking out the boxes and yards. I soon started riding trackwork and going to the races.

I was inspired by jockeys such as Caroline Mason and Bernadette Payne, who often rode for my first boss in the south-western districts of Victoria (Warrnambool).

The opportunity to leave school at 15 to become an apprentice jockey felt like an exciting adventure. To be honest I was just happy to be riding horses for a job, and I didn’t really understand what the future of being a jockey would bring. I am grateful I had family support to take the risk of leaving school at such a young age. Now I’m actually back doing schoolwork at TAFE, completing a Cert IV in Assessment and Training.

 

  1. Are you a lover of horses first, then the industry second? Or both?

I’m definitely an animal lover!

The joy and skill of riding horses is something I will never take for granted. Although my family had a hobby farm, I don’t come from a “horse family”.

I realise now just how lucky I was to have the opportunity to learn to ride at a local trail-riding farm, which was right next door to where I grew up in Wangoom, Victoria.

The first time I went to the races at 14 years old was to “strap”, even though I didn’t have much idea; I remember the feeling of being privy to being backstage in a movie or something. Helping to saddle up, leading the horse in the parade in the mounting yard, legging up the jockey, watching the race and cheering, then afterwards collecting the horse, all hot and sweaty and over-excited from running at their best – it was exhilarating!

I felt like I was really part of something big – and I was hooked.

 

  1. You won three metropolitan jockeys’ premiership. Was winning premierships a specific goal? How much do premierships mean to jockeys?

If you have never won a premiership, I think becoming champion jockey is definitely a goal you work towards.

But during the season winning a premiership might not always be at the forefront of your mind, as you are more concentrating on each race day as it comes. For that reason, I feel that it means more after the fact; for example, to now be able to say I’m a three-time premiership winner is significant.

Sometimes you may miss races in Adelaide which affect your premiership chances by travelling to “stay on a good horse”. I found my focus changed to competing in the group races interstate, something which riding for the Leon Macdonald Racing stable put emphasis on for the benefit of owners.

In 2004/05, my first metropolitan premiership win was something I had set out to achieve. I worked hard for it, and to reach this goal was very important to me. This was also the first time a female jockey had won a state metropolitan premiership, and it felt like I could accomplish anything if I worked hard and dreamed big.

The 2007/08 premiership was great to win, as since my first premiership I had been runner-up a few times. It was a tough year to win a premiership because the talent of the jockeys was strong.

The 2014/15 premiership win was my third, and the first with my manager (and now husband) Damien Wilton. This win was particularly satisfying because I had just come back from the worst racing fall of my career and significant injuries which saw me on the sidelines for five months – my longest time out of the saddle.

 

  1. You’ve recounted the story many times, but what sticks out in your memory about Melbourne Cup Day 2003? Anything quirky that most people wouldn’t be aware of?

Riding in the Melbourne Cup was a dream come true for me, and everything that you can imagine. The whole experience was incredible and so enjoyable.

Becoming the first Australian female to ride in the Melbourne Cup did give me more media attention and I had a whole range of bizarre media commitments. In particular I was on the Roy and HG Nelson show, and was sitting backstage chatting to Paris Hilton – and I had no idea who she was!

The exposure and confidence being part of the Melbourne Cup gave me probably changed the shape of my life. All of a sudden, my career started to take off.

 

  1. People love the Rebel Raider-VRC Derby story. Again, what’s your overriding memory of that day/race?

Shouldering into the clear at the 200m mark of the famous Flemington track and going for home, feeling Rebel Raider respond as we surged to the front was so exhilarating!

Reaching the winning post, I was filled with overwhelming sense of joy and satisfaction. We had done it!

My legs turned to jelly, and we were so fired up I could hardly pull up “Rebel”. I was laughing with Johnny Letts as he came over on Banjo to interview me after the race.

Riding him back through the roses was sensational and seeing the faces of the owners and Leon Macdonald as I came back into the winner’s stall was incredible. My parents were also in the grandstand and having them there felt like they were part of the reward for the long, hard journey, right alongside of me.

The Group 1 VRC Derby in 2008 on Rebel Raider is probably my most significant winner; the win that I am most known for in racing, creating history.

 

  1. How does being inducted into the SA Racing Hall of Fame in 2018 rate among your career highlights/achievements?

It was an honour and a privilege. It is humbling to think that I am considered to have my name alongside some true racing greats.

It’s probably only now – since I’ve stopped racing– that I’m able to sit back and reflect upon my racing career and be proud of my achievements.

The nature of our industry is that when you are immersed in it you become self-focused, always striving for the next winner and the next champion horse.

I feel incredibly lucky to have had success in racing all over the world and at the highest level in Australia.

 

  1. What do you miss about not race riding now?

Winning!

But more specifically the feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction when everything comes together on race day. When the horse is happy, races well, and trying its absolute best for you. And even if we don’t win, you can’t ask more than that.

But there’s no greater feeling than riding a thoroughbred galloping at their top, bursting through the pack and floating effortlessly through the air to the winning post – especially if you’ve been on that journey together from the start of their racing life.

 

  1. What don’t you miss?

I was going to say “recovering from injuries” but I realise now that doing exercise and rehab for old injuries is something I will have to do for the rest of my life!

It’s probably that devastated feeling when things don’t go to plan, and all that goes along with that: letting down your trainer and owners, the punters’ abuse on social media, and having to front up for the next race day and do it all again. That is mentally draining.

 

  1. What are your thoughts on TRSA introducing a maternity scheme for jockeys?

I had been involved with canvassing government to implement an exception for jockeys in the government maternity scheme. Currently a female has to work up to a certain amount of time prior to the birth of their baby to qualify for the scheme, and as jockeys we are restricted from riding (and therefore our capacity to earn a living) after the first trimester, so we don’t qualify for the government scheme.

The fact that TRSA has now taken this on is fantastic and I congratulate TRSA for starting the maternity support scheme. I believe this commitment helps the racing industry keep up with modern society.

I believe that this scheme will really help support families working in racing and encourage skilled workers to stay in our industry, rather than have to look for another job.

 

  1. You, Leon Macdonald and John Letts were involved in a media event recently, after all three of you had races renamed in your honour. How does it feel to have the Clare Lindop Stakes, which was formerly the Laelia Stakes, a Listed 1600m race at Morphettville, run every March or April?

I am absolutely delighted to have a race named after me. To be included, alongside Leon Macdonald and John Letts, both icons of our industry, is an honour and privilege. I think it’s an outstanding idea to recognise racing identities (horses included!) and have that history reflected in today’s current racing calendar. Do I get to hand out a trophy?!

 

  1. Finally, what’s the number one piece of advice you would give to an apprentice jockey, just starting their journey in the industry?

Stop being in a rush. Concentrate on the little things and get the basics right – and that starts with fitness.

I once heard an interview where Brett Lee was asked the same question about advice to give a young, learning fast bowler, and he said, “Take the ball out of their hand and tell ’em to run”.

I think the same applies for a young apprentice. Work on your fitness and strength and put in a hard day’s work around the stables. It’s the only way you’re going to compete against jockeys who already have years of fitness and skill “banked up”. An apprentice’s claim can only take you so far.

 

Thanks for your time, Clare.

You’re welcome.

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