Mikayla was thrilled to win on Two Big Fari for her boss Todd Howlett at Rosehill 28/11/2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
It’s unlikely there’s a busier jockey in Australia currently than Hunter Valley based Mikayla Weir. As this podcast is posted Mikayla has had 32 race rides on 8 different race tracks in 10 days. Just for practice she rode in 11 barrier trials at Scone last Wednesday. In an interview recorded on Good Friday she takes us through that horrendous schedule.
The young jockey logs enormous mileage to honour commitments in the North Eastern corner of the state. She explains how she comes to terms with the travelling.
Mikayla takes us back to early days on the South Coast and her introduction to rodeo.
She explains the fundamentals of some of her favourite rodeo pursuits.
Mikayla recalls the fateful day at a Cooma rodeo when she met her partner, professional rodeo star Jock Bone-Langdon.
The 27 year old looks back on her first racing stable job with Kembla trainer Kerry Parker. It was a year before Kerry allowed her to ride trackwork. She was “hooked” from the first moment.
Mikayla reflects on her successful application for an apprenticeship with Hunter Valley trainer Todd Howlett - an apprenticeship which only recently concluded.
The hard working jockey remembers her first race ride and the magical moment of her initial win.
Mikayla acknowledges some of the nice horses who’ve helped to lift her profile in recent times.
She makes special mention of her role model Kathy O’Hara, and expresses her gratitude to the trainers who’ve given her regular support.
The popular jockey talks of the support she receives from partner Jock who gives her the latitude to pursue her chosen career. Mikayla outlines the improvements she and Jock have made to their Jerry’s Plains property. She hints at a future as a trainer.
(Banner image - Mikayla wins a Randwick TAB Highway on her favourite Nic’s Vendetta 21/04/2018. Runner up is Ori On Fire (Hugh Bowman) - Courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
Two Big Fari beat the talented Great News in the Rosehill win - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Mikayla with her master Todd Howlett after a Randwick win with Nic’s Vendetta - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Mikayla and Run Like A Rebel were airborne at the finish of the TAB Highway at Rosehill 20/11/2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Very early in Mikayla’s riding career! A win at Armidale on Elegies for Rod Hilton - courtesy Bradley Photographers.