Image: Racing Photography.
Earlier this month, aspiring apprentice Juliet Partridge was thrilled to score the first victory of her burgeoning career.
Riding for Tamworth trainer Zach Hatch at Binnaway on May 2, Partridge helped Soccerew ($6) to a convincing two-length win in the 1000m Maiden Plate.
The breakthrough result came just over three months after the Tamworth-based apprentice made her race-riding debut aboard the Melissa Dennett-trained Maxandus in a 1000m Class One Handicap on her home track on January 31.
“A relief,” was how Partridge described her feelings after the win.
“It felt like one of those moments, and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve just ridden my first winner’.
“It was something I’ve always dreamed of doing, and when I could finally get it done, it felt special.”
Indentured to respected Tamworth trainer and master Mel O’Gorman, who also guided the early stages of Siena Grima’s career, Partridge said she was enjoying life and learning in the state’s North West.
“She is a terrific boss,” Partridge said.
“There are some big shoes to fill with the likes of Siena, but I get great help from Mel, and she is so giving and does everything in her power to help me move forward.”
Partridge, who’s since ridden at meetings at Inverell and Gunnedah, already possesses a strong grounding in the industry after spending more than five years working for leading Queensland trainer Chris Munce.
“I started with a small trainer in Brisbane, and I eventually jumped across to Chris Munce, and I was there for five and a half years,” Partridge said.
“I got some brilliant opportunities there. I got to take some really nice horses away and ride a lot of trackwork for him; I thank him for a lot of this going forward.”
One horse Partridge formed a particularly strong association with was Group 1 winner Palaisipan, whose career was highlighted by victory in the 2023 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.
“That was so much fun,” Partridge said.
“I got to travel her up and down the East Coast before she won the Tatt’s (Tiara) and that’s something I’ll never forget.
“I was riding around Randwick, and Flemington, and rubbing shoulders with some of the best and biggest around the country, and that was a lot of fun, and then she came back and won the Tatt’s Tiara, and that was a very special moment for the whole team and myself.”
Now focused on establishing herself in the saddle, Partridge is determined to continue improving as she builds her career in the North West riding ranks.
“The goal is to just out-ride my claim, get a kick along and ride as many winners and improve as much as I can,” Partridge said.
“It’s a hard road, a long road, but I’d like to make some tracks.”
