Image: Racing Photography.
Patience has been a virtue for hard-working apprentice jockey, Gabrielle Johnston, who’s recently enjoyed a winning run, highlighted by an ANZAC Day treble at Nyngan.
“It’s slowly starting to trickle in, which is really exciting,” Johnston told Country Punter.
“It’s been a slow journey, and everyone has their own path, but mine has been taking a little longer, but it’s all about the experience and learning along the way.”
The 24-year-old has been riding in great form, landing a winning double at Narrabri last month before bringing up victories at Lightning Ridge and Armidale.
Then at Nyngan on Saturday, Johnston rode a treble and won the feature on the program, the Nyngan RSL Anzac Cup, booting home the Jane Clement-trained Toulon Factor to an emphatic 7.37-length victory.
“It was very, very exciting; he is a ripper of a horse, and he went awesome,” Johnston said.
“He kicked and kept on going; there was no stopping him.
“It was good for Jane and Clemo; they have just supported me so much, and they are unbelievable; I appreciate them so much.”
Indentured to Todd Howlett, who trains out of Muswellbrook, Johnston is a Singleton girl and talented horsewoman, with the young jockey having been around horses her entire life.
“I was born in Toowoomba, but we moved to Singleton when I was two, and my mum would have put me on a horse before I could even walk,” Johnston laughed.
“I was doing a lot of show jumping and stuff and working with Ben Blay when I was 13 and 14, as Ben was big into show jumping.
“Then he eventually started getting into racing, and I was doing a bit of groundwork, saddling, and odd jobs.
“One day, he fell off and broke his hand, and he said, ‘Gab, do you want to ride one?’, and I did, and after that, I applied to start an apprenticeship, thinking I would see where it went.
“I worked for Ben for a while, and he said he couldn’t support me with the horses he had, but he was working with Todd at that time, and he got me a job there.”
Johnston has spent around four years with Howlett, who previously mentored the likes of Aaron Bullock and Mikayla Weir, and she’s enjoying every moment and opportunity.
“I love working for Todd; he is a good bloke and an amazing boss,” Johnston said.
“I’ve learned a lot here.”
Johnston is now preparing for a busy five-day stretch, where she has rides at Muswellbrook on Friday, Binnaway on Saturday, Dubbo on Sunday, Gunnedah on Monday, and Taree on Tuesday
At Binnaway, the three-kilogram claimer will look to win another feature race for Clement and connections, jumping aboard Sidenay in the Binnaway Cup (1300m).
“I have won twice on Sid; he is such a lovely horse,” Johnston said.
“He’s one of my favourites, and I’ve talked to Clemo; we have a bit of a plan as Clemo always has a plan, which is good.”
