He’s won premierships and competed against the best, riding in Group and Listed races, while testing his mettle in the metropolitan ranks.
Still, John Kissick enjoyed one of his proudest moments in the saddle when riding at Wagga on Tuesday.
Teaming up with his friend and prominent Southern Districts trainer, Doug Gorrel, the 34-year-old brought up the 500th win of his storied career, guiding Tycoon Artie to victory in the 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
The result is made all the sweeter when considering the injuries Kissick has had to overcome to be still riding.
“It was a goal of mine to get to 500 wins when I first started,” Kissick told Country Punter.
“I was let down when I thought my career was over and I wasn’t going to get there, and only recently, one of my mates told me I was on 491 wins, so I’ve been keeping track.
“It was good to get my 500th at Wagga and on one of Doug’s as well; he’s a good mate, and we’ve combined a lot, so it was special to get the 500th for him.”
The Griffith product, now based in Narrandera, was the toast of the Southern Districts between 2010 and 2016, commencing his career with the astute Peter Clancy before venturing to town to ride for Chris Waller.
In late 2016, Kissick broke his back, keeping him out of the saddle for three years before he returned to racing in 2020.
Then, in 2021, Kissick was preparing for a bumper Wagga Gold Cup carnival before he suffered a badly broken leg.
Add to that a broken pelvis, wrist, collarbone, foot and finger, and Kissick has endured his fair share of mishaps, almost giving the game away in 2022 after riding at Tocumwal.
On a trip north, he rediscovered his passion for riding, winning races at Esk, Warwick, and Toowoomba before moving back south to give it one last crack.
Enjoying his best season since riding 72 winners in 2015/16, Kissick booted home 51 victories in 2024/25 at 13.9%, and he’s hit the ground running this season, already sitting on 27 wins at a career-best 18.1% in 2025/26.
“I feel really good,” Kissick said.
“I started doing a bit of Pilates, which keeps me a bit stronger in the core, and outside of that, I look to ride a bit differently than when I was a kid.
“While it is still everything to ride winners, I try not to put any extra pressure on myself, and I do my form, and let the race happen as such, and what will be, will be.
“Whereas, as a young kid, I was so focused on getting as many wins as I could, and I was putting myself under so much pressure.
“Now I am a lot calmer, and I still put the work in, but I just let the rest flow.”
2025 has been a big year for Kissick, on and off the track, with the talented jockey moving his young family to Narrandera, where he is setting himself up for life out of the saddle.
“Having a farm has helped a lot; I’ve got a few pre-trainers, and it keeps me occupied,” Kissick said.
“I did my apprenticeship up the road with Peter Clancy, and two days a week, I’m in Wagga riding work, and I help Peter out a couple of days a week, which is good because he helped me out, and he’s got a few in work.
“Plus, with the farm, it means I am always doing something, and I love working with the horses; I’d love to train in time, but I think I have a few more years of riding in me, so I’ll focus on that.”
When discussing his short-term goals as he continues his strong season in the saddle, Kissick has his sights set on the 2025/26 SDRA premiership, where he currently sits second, trailing only Pierre Boudvillain.
“My goal last year was 50 winners, and I got that, and my other goal since I’ve been back is to win the SDRA Premiership,” Kissick said.
“I finished third last year to Pierre, and he’s a good rider, but I’d love to win another one before finishing up.”
Kissick is back in the saddle on Friday, riding at Canberra where he has five rides.
