Ask any racing fan of the 1980s about Neil Perryman, and they’ll tell you he was a very good jockey who, at the peak of his powers, was riding in Group and Listed races, teaming up with the likes of Bart Cummings, Lee Freedman, and Tommy Smith.
A Benalla boy, Perryman was indentured to Quinny Scott as a youngster, kicking off his career in Benalla before moving to Kilmore and finally settling in at Flemington.
A decade later, a trip to NSW became a permanent move after he met his partner and Moruya trainer, Cindy Pearson.
“I was pretty lucky and rode in a Derby and Adelaide Cup for Bart and even rode a treble for him one day, and I rode good winners for them, good fellas, back in the day,” Perryman said.
“I had a bit to do with Tony Noonan and rode his first winner and first city winner, but I moved here for about three weeks back in 1991 or 1992 and ended up staying here.
“I gave it away for a bit and went back down to Victoria and rode for Danny O’Brien, but my partner fell pregnant, and that’s why we moved back, and we’ve been here ever since.”
At 56, Perryman isn’t a full-time jockey these days, but he’s kept his licence and rides periodically for Pearson and other locals needing a heavyweight hoop.
“I’m too heavy; 62kg would pull me up these days,” Perryman laughed.
“I have kept it (my licence) for a chance to ride every now and then, and Cindy trains a couple, and I’ll ride hers when they’ve got enough weight.”
Perryman is still heavily involved in racing, and on top of riding in the odd race and doing trackwork for Pearson, he also works behind the barriers and is the Moruya Jockey Club curator, returning to the role last year.
“I’ve been back doing it for nine or ten months, and originally, I didn’t want the job,” Perryman said.
“I had worked there before, and their guy moved on, so I offered to help again, and I wasn’t that keen to stay on, but I got some good help from a chap at the golf club, and I said if he could leave me in the right spot, I’d stay, and it’s been good.”
Being a jack of all trades and an essential member of the Moruya racing fraternity, it’s no surprise that it was a popular result when Perryman landed a rare win on his home track on Friday.
The veteran relived his glory days, contesting a race for the first time since May 2021 while riding his first winner since May 2017 when guiding Go Gazza ($21) to victory in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
Trained by his partner, Pearson had only recently purchased the Foxwedge gelding, and following a five-week freshen-up, the five-year-old finished hard and fast for Perryman, winning by a neck from the Mick Attard-trained Crossfire Road (Billy Owen, $14), while a half-length back in third was the Rob Potter-trained White Liar Louise Day, $9).
When asked if there was any confidence heading to the races, Perryman said he would have been happy if Go Gazza ‘beat a few home’, hinting that the recent purchase was somewhat of an unknown commodity.
“We only just purchased the horse, and he was going into the race without a solid gallop,” Perryman said.
“The previous trainer was Jamie Stewart, and he said that his first few fresh runs were usually good and to keep him fresh.
“That’s what we did, and I think that’s what we’ll keep doing with him.”
It was a very special win for the Pearson family, with Perryman winning in the same colours used by Cindy’s father, the late Chicka Pearson, who passed away in August of last year.
“Cindy thought it would be great to see me win in her dad’s colours, and the boys wanted to see me ride,” Perryman said.
“It was pretty surprising to get the win, but I was stoked to win the race, and the horse went well.
“He’ll get a bit of weight after that, but he’s got some ability, and we’ll keep him fresh and have some fun with him in some of those weaker races.
Perryman’s win highlighted an excellent day’s racing at Moruya, where the results were shared around.
For results, click here.
