The NSW jockey ranks are very strong, with talented hoops plying their trade all over the state, but who do punters flock to when push comes to shove?
Many journalists will use cliché terms such as ‘leading country jockey’ or ‘the region’s best hoop’, but here at NSW Country and Picnic Racing, we wanted to find out, once and for all, who’s considered the state’s best country jockeys.
NSW Country and Picnic Racing surveyed 114 industry participants, including Sky Racing experts and tipsters, race callers, trainers, race club administrators, journalists, and punters, to find the information we craved.
We asked them to list their ‘top-5 bush hoops still riding’, with the open-ended question meaning they could pick from their region, the entire state, jockeys based in the country, or those who supported country meetings.
Those surveyed are based in every racing district in the state, and it meant we had a mountain of data to mould into something that could help define who is considered the best country jockey.
Using the most straightforward system of 5 votes for the top pick, 4 for second, and so on, it was a landslide victory for Aaron Bullock, who generated 317 votes.
He was picked on an incredible 73 of 114 lists, including being selected at the top spot on 43 occasions.
Bullock finished with more than double the votes of his nearest rival Danny Beasley (152), while a stellar top-five was rounded out with Ben Looker (116), injured hoop Mathew Cahill (115), and Jeff Penza (107).
Mikayla Weir was the highest-rated woman (66), picnic jockey Leandro Ribeiro (20) made the top 20, and Chelsea Hillier (17) was the best of the apprentices.
1. Aaron Bullock
Votes: 317
Age: 32
Season wins: 145.5
Career wins: 759
Debut season: 2007
Summary: Pound for pound, Aaron Bullock the best jockey in the state. Some people will say he’s given the best rides, and with those opportunities, other jockeys would be just as successful.
Still, Bullock does what he does as a heavyweight jockey – meaning his opportunities are somewhat limited.
His winning percentage this season (25.3%) is second to no other professional jockey, and if he could ride the minimum, he would be in town.
For a guy that never rode a horse as a youngster, it’s an incredible feat, and it’s no wonder he was the consensus top pick by those in the industry, with Bullock making 73 of 114 lists while being picked in first place on 43 occasions.
2. Danny Beasley
Age: 47
Votes: 152
Season wins: 28
Career wins: 1797
Debut season: 1992
Summary: The 14-time Group 1 winner hasn’t missed a beat since returning to Wagga late last year, and he was the clear second pick on this list, being selected on top of 13 while making 40 of the 114.
The local boy jas hit the ground running and dominated the recent Wagga Wagga Gold Cup carnival.
Beasley could ride in town if he wanted to, but he’s chosen to give back to the country, and while he keeps riding, he’ll be one of the best jockeys in NSW.
3. Ben Looker
Age: 32
Votes 116
Season wins: 105
Career wins: 1127
Debut season: 2006
Summary: For a jockey in his early 30s, it’s remarkable that Ben Looker has already booted home 1276 winners, and it was no surprise to see him on 45 of 114 lists, even being picked on top on five occasions.
A two-time Listed-winning jockey, Looker brought up another century late last month and continues to be the premier jockey in Northern NSW and the go-to hoop for many leading stables.
Looker is the whole package; he’s a good judge with soft hands but also very strong and can get them to win from everywhere.
He’s enjoyed most of his success at Grafton, riding 221 winners there, and with the XXXX Gold Clarence River Jockey Club carnival just around the corner, he could be the one to follow.
4. Mathew Cahill
Votes 115
Age: 55
Season wins: 0
Career wins: 2786
Debut Season: 1988
Summary: Mathew Cahill added many more questions to this survey than answers, with the veteran picked on 29 lists while being named number one on 11 occasions.
The legendary country jockey, who is closing in on 3000 career winners, hasn’t ridden this season and has been out of the game after fracturing his neck in a fall at Canberra earlier last year.
Still, at the time of his fall, he was the best country jockey going around, and if he had continued that form, there is an excellent argument to mount that he would have pushed Aaron Bullock for the top spot on this list.
Cahill is closing in on a return to racing, and the fact that he was voted fourth on this list after a long stint away from riding, demonstrates what kind of respect he commands.
5. Jeff Penza
Votes: 107
Age: 53
Season wins: 90.5
Career wins: 2235
Debut season: 1988
Summary: Jeff Penza was another exciting addition to this list, and that is because he mixes his time between the country and provincials with the odd trip to town.
He’s ridden well over 2000 winners, and he’s a five-time Group 3 and 7-time Listed winning jockey, even placing in a Group 1.
Penza won the 2016/17 NSW jockey’s premiership with 136 winners, followed by another outstanding 133-win season in 2017/18.
He’s closing in on 100 winners this year, and at 53, he’s still one of the best going around, with Penza regarded by many trainers as the complete package.
6. Nick Heywood
Votes: 106
Age: 27
Season wins: 36
Career wins: 474
Debut season: 2013
Summary: Nick Heywood was a popular pick for those down south, with the 27-year-old picked on the top of five lists while making 36 top-five lists.
The Goulburn hoop is another very talented heavyweight jockey, and if he could ride the minimum, there’s no doubt he would be in town.
Still, he travels the state and rides with much success in the South East, Southern Districts, Central Districts,
7. Grant Buckley
Votes: 93
Age: 49
Season wins: 81
Career wins: 2435
Debut season: 1990
Summary: Grant Buckley is a 2-time Group and 12-time Listed winning jockey, boasting almost 2500 winners to his name, and he’s not even 50.
‘Bucko’ is regarded by many as one of the state’s hardest-working and most consistent jockeys, making him a favourite amongst punters.
He will travel all over the place for a good book of rides, and he has a great set of hands and good judgement.
8. Ashley Morgan
Votes: 82
Age: 32
Season wins: 62
Career wins: 392
Debut season: 2009
Summary: The Welsh product has quickly become one of the more popular jockeys on the country circuit since arriving in Australia, and the proof was in the pudding when he won the NSW jockey’s premiership in 2021/22, registering 136 victories.
After travelling overseas, Morgan has only ridden part of the season in 2022/23, but he’s already notched 62 winners since returning.
Morgan has started shifting his focus to the provincials, but he is still a very hot commodity up North and in the North West, regularly linking up with good stables.
9. Mikayla Weir
Photo: Bradley Photos.
Votes: 68
Age: 29
Season wins: 71.5
Career wins: 440
Debut season: 2015
Summary: It’s no surprise that Mikayla Weir is the leading female jockey on this list, with the 29-year-old being one of the best riders in the state.
Weir’s work ethic is second to none, and she will travel everywhere for opportunities.
Very well respected in the North West, Weir has enjoyed most of her success North of Sydney and particularly enjoys Taree, having ridden 44 winners, while Tamworth is second on her list with 38 winners.
10. Clayton Gallagher
Votes: 62
Age: 25
Season wins: 460
Career wins: 75
Debut season: 2015
Summary: At only 25 years of age, Clayton Gallagher has established himself as the leading jockey in the Western Districts, riding almost 500 winners since kicking off his career in 2015.
Now attached to the Brett Robb yard, Gallagher jumps on many good chances, and his aggressive style – while at times gets him in trouble – makes him a popular commodity for punters and trainers, with Gallagher giving every horse a chance.
If the Dubbo jockey rides for another 30 years, there’s no doubt he will be right up there as one of the best in Western and Central Districts Racing Association history.
11. Nick Souquet
Votes: 55
Age: 49
Season wins: 22
Career wins: 1382
Debut season: 1992
Summary: Nick Souquet is a favourite amongst racing fans down south, with the Wodonga jockey and Tumbarumba product winning a myriad of Southern Districts titles.
He races a little heavier these days, but he recently landed a Wodonga treble, and when he gets the opportunity, he proves he is still one of the best going around.
12. Matthew McGuren
Votes: 40
Age: 33
Season wins: 42
Career wins: 831
Debut season: 2009
Summary: For a bloke who started at the picnics – with his first ride being at Talmoi back in 2009 – Matthew McGuren is carving out a promising career.
He’s linked up with some good trainers, and while he’s currently not riding, he’ll be back in the saddle and will bring up 1000 winners sooner rather than later.
13. Brooke Stower
Votes: 33
Age: 29
Season wins: 66
Career wins: 443
Debut season: 2013
Summary: The North West-based jockey has been in great form since returning from a broken back.
Unfortunately for the industry, Stower will take an indefinite break from racing, but she did assure NSW Country and Picnic Racing that she will be back in the saddle further down the track.
14. Kayla Nisbet
Votes: 31
Age: 28
Season wins: 7
Career wins: 538
Debut season: 2010
Summary: Kayla Nisbet is highly regarded in the South East, having brought up over 500 winners, and she’s probably a little underrated, as she consistently gives her mounts the best chance.
Nisbet has excellent hands, with the Canberra-based jockey enjoying much success with Matthew Dale, Gratz Vella, Norm Gardner, Ron Weston, and John Nisbet.
15. Billy Owen
Votes: 29
Age: 30
Season wins: 49
Career wins: 333
Debut season: 2010
Summary: Another former picnic jockey turned pro, Billy Owen, is one of the authentic characters in the South East and Southern Districts.
Weight has been an issue for him, but he gets his chances with Nick Olive, Matt Dale, Neil Osborne, Andrew Dale, and Todd Smart.
Owen is riding in good form this season, bringing up 49 winners.
16. Kody Nestor
Votes: 28
Age: 32
Season wins: 17
Career wins: 599
Debut season: 2006
Summary: It’s easy to forget that Kody Nestor is only 32.
The talented jockey turned to training in 2018 and brought up over 100 winners in Dubbo before returning to the jockey’s ranks last year.
He will sit further up this list in the coming years, and opportunities will be there if Nestor can stay on top of his weight.
17. Anthony Cavallo
Votes: 25
Age: 54
Season wins: 16
Career wins: 995
Debut season: 1986
Summary: Known fondly as ‘Choco’, Cavallo has been around since the 1980s, even winning on Spirited Way in the Group 3 Silver Shadow Stakes of 1989.
Cavallo is widely respected for his hard work and willingness to travel, making him a popular hoop in the country.
18. Leandro Ribeiro
Votes: 24
Age: 38
Season wins: 41
Career wins: 96
Debut season: 2020
Summary: Leandro Ribeiro was the only picnic jockey to make this list, and if anything, he could have been higher up if the survey had been worded differently.
He’s the best picnic jockey in Australia, and one trainer even stated, ‘If he rode at the professionals, he would be one of the best’.
The Brazilian certainly commands respect.
19. Jake Pracey-Holmes
Votes: 23
Age: 32
Season wins: 55
Career wins: 457
Debut season: 2011
Summary: Pracey-Holmes is another lovable larrikin and one of the best jockeys in the Western Districts.
The 32-year-old rides with a lot of confidence and vigour, and with 55 winners under his belt, he was enjoying his best season to date before a two-month suspension stopped him in his tracks.
20. Josh Richards
Votes: 18
Age: 29
Season wins: 23
Career wins: 244
Debut season: 2017
Summary: Richards only recently moved back to NSW after a stint down south, and there is no doubt that he would have been higher up the list given more time.
He has already landed feature-race wins, and with time, Richards will likely be the go-to jockey in the Southern Districts.
Honourable mentions
Andrew Gibbons was picked on top in two lists and only just missed the top 20, while Mitch Bell and Luke Rolls came close to making the top 20, with the pair both picked on six lists.
The next best picnic jockey was Ricky Blewitt, and other professional jockeys to make multiple lists were Cejay Graham, Winona Costin, Chelsea Hillier, Peter Graham, Alysha Collett, Digger McLellan, Molly Bourke, Jess Taylor, Kelsey Lenton, Michael Heagney, Brendan Ward, Andrew Banks, Danny Peisley, Serg Lisnyy, Jordan Mallyon, Ken Dunbar, Shaun Guymer, Matthew Palmer, and Chelsea Ings.
