Born and bred in Tumut and raised in the country before settling in Newcastle, it’s astonishing that Aaron Bullock – a kid that never rode a horse until meeting Todd Howlett – is the state’s leading jockey and considered by many as one of, if not the best heavyweight jockey in Australia.
From humble beginnings, Bullock didn’t make it easy for himself in his early days either.
By his admission, he ‘got led astray’ at times, but at 32 years of age, Bullock is mentally and physically doing well, and he’s thrilled to have ridden 151 ½ winners so far in 2022/23.
“Never did I think this would happen,” Bullock said.
“All I ever wanted to do was be the best I could be, whether riding winners at Tamworth, Sky 2’s, or Randwick.
“For me, it was always just about being the best I can be, and it’s one of those games; you get out what you put in, and I’ve been keeping my head down and working hard.”
When asked if he had considered the enormity of his season to date, Bullock didn’t want to get caught up in the hype.
“Until I sit down at the end of this year and reflect on where I’m at, I’m not sure it will sink in,” Bullock said.
“This is by far my best season, and I’m leading James McDonald, who was named the world’s best jockey, and leading someone like him means a lot.”
Making Bullock’s accomplishments all the more impressive is his heavyweight, with the leading hoop rarely riding under 58kg.
While capable of going lower, Bullock is a big believer that he rides at his best when he is comfortable with his weight.
“This season, I’ve got down to 56kg once and down to 57kg a handful of times, but I like to ride at about 58kg,” Bullock said.
“If I could ride lighter, it might be a different story, but I ride comfortably and am happy.”
Those close to Bullock, who’s well-and-truly enjoying a breakout season, will tell you that love has pushed him in the right direction, and he won’t disagree, with the 32-year-old set to marry fellow jockey Amelia Denby later this year.
“What do they always say? Behind every good man is a great woman,” Bullock quipped.
“Honestly, since I’ve been with her, life has been unreal. She keeps me grounded, and some people will tell you I used to get led astray pretty easily, but she’s been good for me.
“Plus, there are a few more mouths to feed, so I’ve got that extra motivation to keep working hard, and we bought a house together, and I couldn’t be happier.
Bullock has more or less locked up two NSW jockey’s premierships, as he sits 41 ½ wins ahead of James McDonald in the state title race and 13 ½ wins ahead of Ben Looker in the NSW country title race.
Still, he will be riding hard until he gets married in November, with his Grand Final set to be a ride on the Paul Messara-trained Akasawa in the $3 million Big Dance final at Royal Randwick on November 7.
“I will keep the pedal to the medal; I’ll make a little hit-and-run trip to the snow one weekend, but I want to keep in the groove until I get married in November,” Bullock said.
“The plan is to ride up until Melbourne Cup Day, and ride Akasawa at Royal Randwick, and then get married on the Thursday, and then take a couple of weeks off.”
Motivation is vital to Bullock, and before his impending nuptials and the chance to ride Akasawa in what will be the biggest race of the jockey’s stellar career, he wants to try and chase down James Orman in the Australian jockey’s premiership race.
Orman sits 11 ½ wins ahead of Bullock, but the Tumut boy believes he can make up the ground before August 1.
“It’s on my mind; I’ve only got to stay consistent and keep doing what I’m doing, and I reckon I can get him,” Bullock said.
“He was 30 in front about a month ago, and I thought, ‘I won’t think about it and see what happens’, but now, (Will) Pike is hovering around there too.
“I just need to hope that nothing goes wrong, but I have something to push for now, which I need, and with a bit of hard work over the next eight weeks, I’m confident I can do it.”
Bullock has a big book of rides at Gosford today and Tamworth tomorrow, and punters will undoubtedly want to see him edge closer to Orman in the Australian jockey’s premiership race.
| Jockey Name | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Prize Money | Strike Rate | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Orman | 163 | 115 | 102 | 78½ | 67 | $7,523,150.00 | 20.70% | 787 |
| Aaron Bullock | 151½ | 100 | 68½ | 67½½ | 58 | $3,838,518.00 | 25.60% | 594 |
| William Pike | 151 | 103½ | 96 | 80½ | 73½ | $10,565,200.00 | 20.00% | 754 |
| James McDonald | 137 | 122 | 67½ | 79 | 54 | $33,600,960.00 | 22.00% | 624 |
| Ben Thompson | 129 | 132½ | 112½ | 83 | 105½ | $9,352,662.00 | 15.10% | 853 |
| Ryan Wiggins | 121 | 81 | 68½½½ | 55½ | 42 | $2,237,193.00 | 24.40% | 496 |
| John Allen | 110½ | 103 | 77½ | 74 | 68 | $8,253,183.00 | 15.60% | 712 |
| Ben Looker | 108 | 79 | 77 | 85½ | 71 | $2,481,758.00 | 14.20% | 759 |
| Daniel Stackhouse | 101½ | 99 | 84 | 82½ | 71½ | $5,687,045.00 | 13.40% | 762 |
| Ryan Maloney | 100½ | 68 | 51½½ | 49½ | 32 | $6,734,628.00 | 22.40% | 450 |
