Parker prevails in competitive Jumps Jockeys’ Premiership

[Wandering Eyes]

English hoop Joshua Parker clinched his first New Zealand Jumps Jockeys’ Premiership title at Te Aroha on Sunday, fittingly aboard a horse that has given him nearly half of his season’s victories.

The 25-year-old is in his second season riding on Kiwi soil, having ridden point-to-point races in England before seeking out further opportunities in New Zealand last May.

Initially based with master trainer Kevin Myers, Parker enjoyed immediate success, riding five winners at the tail end of the 2023/24 season, and a further four before jumping wrapped up in late September.

Among that latter quartet was a maiden hurdle victory aboard Billy Boy, who Parker would retain the ride on this season, picking up the Manawatu Hurdle (2500m) and Wellington Hurdle (3200m) before the premiership decider at Te Aroha, when Parker, Shaun Fannin and Kylan Wiles were locked on nine wins apiece.

Fannin, who has ridden in just 12 jumping races this season, was not riding at the meeting, and Wiles collected a couple of placings, meaning Parker’s win aboard Billy Boy in the maiden steeplechase was enough to get him across the line.

Parker was rapt to take out the overall title and shared his gratitude to a number of supportive trainers.

“It’s some achievement, and something I have wanted to do since coming over to New Zealand last year,” Parker told Trackside’s Winter Weigh In. “Luckily, in my second season, I’ve been able to do it.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the backing of the owners and trainers, it’s been great.

“I was based down with Kevin (Myers) when I first came over, he has been a massive part of my career here in New Zealand, as have his sons. They have taught me bit by bit about how different New Zealand racing is, and how to ride races over here, particularly in the jumps.

“I’ve been lucky to build connections with Jo Rathbone, who has given me the legend of Billy Boy. Also Jess and Pete Brosnan, they’ve been great to me and gave me a nice win on Squire, who is a really nice horse.

“Also Harvey and Ann Wilson with Jerricoop, and Barry Beatson, they’ve constantly given me opportunities on nice horses and it makes my life a lot easier.”

Rathbone confirmed Billy Boy will bypass this year’s Grand National Festival of Racing, which commences at Riccarton this Saturday, but Parker has picked up a nice ride in the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) with Captains Run.

“I’ve got Captains Run down there, I think he should run quite a nice race,” Parker said. “He’s a big horse with a brilliant jump on him.

“He’s quite a relaxed type of horse, I see that he’s not too keen which is great for me, I like the more relaxed horses. I schooled him at Cambridge a few weeks ago and he did it superbly, so hopefully he can do that on the big day.

“I’m really looking forward to heading down there, I’m not entirely sure who else I’ll be riding, but I’ll have him.”

Parker plans to stay on in the southern hemisphere beyond the end of the current jumping season, considering opportunities in Australia before returning for the new term in New Zealand.

“I’m planning on staying over here, I’d like to go over to Australia and have an idea of going over and riding in some of the highweights,” he said. “I’d love to get into the Jericho as well, that would be great.”

“Dean Parker has told me a lot about his trips over to Australia and they sound very positive, but I’ll definitely be back here for the jumps racing next year, I think it’s brilliant.

“We’ll take each step as it comes really.” 

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