Only a chosen few get to ride a Melbourne Cup winner. Jye achieved this remarkable feat at just 25 years of age - courtesy Racing Photos.
Great to catch up with the mild mannered young jockey who burst onto racing’s big stage with his all the way win on Twilight Payment in the Melbourne Cup last year. Jye is currently resting up after having a plate removed from his left leg - a legacy of his fall at Bendigo four years ago.
Jye talks of a recent stay in Brisbane where he won a stakes race and was placed in a couple of features.
The young jockey talks of the riding career of his partner Jessica Payne with special mention of her trip to France where she represented Australia in an apprentice jockey series.
Jye recalls the important race meeting which would determine his fate in the Victorian Jockeys premiership. His baby son Oakley was due to arrive on the same day.
The twenty six year old reflects on the circumstances leading up to his engagement for Twilight Payment, and takes us through the running of the Melbourne Cup.
Jye looks back on childhood days at Koondrook and talks of his parents and siblings.
He remembers his fascination with motor bikes and push bikes long before he became hooked on horses.
Jye pays tribute to Gerald Egan, the remarkable Mansfield horseman to whom he was apprenticed. He wasn’t the first top apprentice to come through the Egan operation.
Young McNeil reflects on his first win at Kerang and his first metropolitan success at Sandown on the horse with the bizarre name.
Jye acknowledges the support of several high profile stables, and the thrill of his first Gr 1 win in 2019. He mentions another special horse in his career so far.
He talks of his ability to ride at a featherweight despite his height. Jye hates the sauna and has found a better way to keep his weight in check.
He acknowledges the efforts of his manager and his mentor.
This is a refreshing chat with one of the brightest young race riding stars in Australia.
(Banner image - The empty grandstands provide an eerie backdrop to last year’s Melbourne Cup finish - courtesy Racing Photos.)
A memorable Melbourne Cup finish! Twilight Payment defeats Tiger Moth and Prince Of Arran in the 2020 Cup - courtesy Racing Photos.
What a moment! Jye returns through the historic Flemington “Arch of Victory” after winning the Melbourne Cup on Twilight Payment - courtesy Racing Photos.
A special moment for young McNeil. His first Gr. 1 win on Kings Will Dream in the 2019 Turnbull Stakes defeating stablemate Finche - courtesy Racing Photos.
A Flemington win on Persan for the Maher-Eustace stable - courtesy Racing Photos.
Persan is one of Jye’s personal favourites. He’s won 5 races on the durable stayer - courtesy Racing Photos.