Words of wisdom from Willo.

[Chief Stipe]

Willo's competition with class

www.racing.com

With Chris Tetaz

Champion jockey Craig Williams has opened up about how his friendship and rivalry with Blake Shinn is driving them both to be better.

With the battle for the Victorian Metropolitan Jockeys Premiership the heading towards a conclusion, both Shinn and Williams are sitting in the top two.

Shinn, who is currently injured and may miss the rest of the season, holds a substantial lead over his rival in the concluding weeks.

According to Williams, their shared commitment to excellence is matched only by their willingness to support each other.

“Everyone in here is your friend, but also your competitor,” Williams told young riders in Racing Victoria’s apprentice program recently.

“Blake Shinn and I are one and two in Victoria this season, but we’re the best at supporting each other. He comes around and we work on the mechanical horse together.”

Williams said the duo had a shared understanding that the better their opposition, the better they must be. For Williams, helping those around him – including apprentices – isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.

“You need to encourage and help your friends. But if they’re lazy and not walking tracks, that’s different – you can’t just give people free advantages and free kicks,” he said.

“But at the same time, the more you share, the better you’ll be at things. And the better your opposition are, the better you are.”

Williams emphasised to the apprentices the importance of mental resilience and preparation – qualities that set great jockeys apart.

“If I’m in the mounting yard and it’s cold – it’s cold for everyone,” he said. “If I’ve got one of my colleagues standing there saying, ‘Oh geez, it’s cold,’ I’ve already got them beat. We need to be ahead of that.

“There’s a mentality you can have. It’s up to you how you choose to approach it as a competitor.

“It doesn’t matter how well you ride them – at the end of the day, the result is you need to win. Win ugly – it doesn’t matter – you need to win.

“These are your colleagues. You need to make sure you’ve got respect for each other.

“But respect doesn’t mean you don’t be tough out there – because that’s how people gain respect. You can’t just give it to them.”

[Chief Stipe]

Just now, Chief Stipe said:

“You need to encourage and help your friends. But if they’re lazy and not walking tracks, that’s different – you can’t just give people free advantages and free kicks,” he said.

Perhaps a few Jockeys in NZ should take notice of that advice.

I've had the opportunity to see Willo, Parr and Shinn ride in NZ and observed all three walking the track and also listening to advice.

[curious]

Great piece and super advice. 

[Murray Fish]

I have always been a fan, though he does have a big advantage over most in that he doesn't have to waste like so many.