Stott joins New Zealand riding ranks

[Wandering Eyes]

British hoop Kevin Stott achieved his biggest moment in racing in the colours of Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay at Royal Ascot four years ago, and now he has made his way to their homeland for a riding stint.

The 30-year-old jockey recorded his first Group One victory aboard the Cambridge Stud part-owned Hello Youmzain in the 2020 edition of the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot, and the son of Kodiac now stands at the Cambridge farm.

“That was the best day in my life in terms of riding career,” Stott said. “Unfortunately, it was during the pandemic, so there were no crowds.

“It is something that I will never forget, obviously your first Group One is massive, and I was lucky enough to ride another Group One last year on a very good horse. I have ridden some very nice horses and have a lot of experience all around Europe and all around the world.”

Stott has plied his trade in a number of racing jurisdictions around the world and said he has always wanted to ride in New Zealand.

“I had always really wanted to come down and see New Zealand,” he said. “I have been to Australia, America, Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, and I thought I would come down here and have a look.

“A good friend of mine got in touch with Bruce Sherwin who then got me in touch with a few people out here.”

Stott arrived in New Zealand last week, and hasn’t been idle, riding track work in the Waikato and having his first taste of raceday riding at Monday’s meeting at Te Rapa, which was subsequently abandoned.

“The quality of racing is getting better and the increase in prizemoney is a massive plus. I am really looking forward to getting going,” he said.

“Hopefully I will be a bit busier next week, I only landed on Wednesday. I have had a couple of days at the tracks, at Cambridge and Matamata.”

“I am in Cambridge, but I will be doing track work in Matamata and Cambridge, and doing loads of trials to see if I can get some nice horses and hopefully we can get off to a good start.”

Stott said he is willing to work hard, and he is hoping that is rewarded by trainers with raceday rides.

“I believe the people in New Zealand appreciate if you work hard, and if you work hard, they reward you,” he said. “That is definitely something I will be doing. Hopefully I can reward them with winners as well as they can reward me with rides.”

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