Beany Panya has made an emphatic return to the riding ranks, with the 30-year-old seemingly booting home winners for fun in recent weeks.
During an incredible 16-day stretch, Panya has been legged aboard 20 chances and has notched seven winners, landing victories at Nowra, Wagga, Bathurst, Kembla Grange, Canberra, Forbes, and Goulburn.
It’s not like she’s been on favourites, either, with the two-kilogram claiming apprentice winning on $3.70, $5, $11, $17, $18, $20, and $41 chances.
It’s been a remarkable return to the racing saddle after Panya spent over five years out of the silks and away from the ‘high-stress environment’ of thoroughbred racing.
She was ready to return to the sport after becoming a mother and buying a home.
Panya made a lowkey return, taking two rides at Orange in February but it was a slow burn at first, as she didn’t want to set herself up for disappointment.
As her confidence grew, so did her hunger, and the talented hoop eventually brought up a well-deserved win on the Tash Burleigh-trained Tulla Park at Canberra in May, and since then, the winners have tallied up.
When asked about her recent form, Panya touched on being in a better frame of mind and having good connections within the industry.
“I guess a good break from any old habits, a better mindset, and having the connections,” Panya replied.
“I was an apprentice at the same time Tash Burleigh was one as well, so even though I’ve only been back six months, the connections are such a big thing.
“That’s why it’s so important for a trainer to let their apprentice spread their wings a bit; this is the problem a lot of apprentices face.”
Panya’s career has ebbed and flowed over the best part of a decade.
Twin sister to Deane Panya, who also recently returned to the riding ranks, Beany started with the Steve Englebrecht yard, winning on the Stephen Gleeson-trained Ahbelle at Mudgee in February 2014, and she enjoyed some success that season, landing ten winners.
She then spent a year indentured to Pat Duff in Queensland, enjoying her best season when riding 21 winners in 2016/17 – 11 of those victories arriving at Toowoomba.
Panya eventually returned to Warwick Farm, and while she had an excellent opportunity with Gary Portelli, she gave it away after riding at Canberra in September 2017.
After dropping an incredible 20 kilograms, Panya just wanted to dip her feet in the water and ride in the odd race, but that soon changed, with opportunities quickly arising.
“I grew up in Leppington, which is only 15 minutes from Warwick Farm, so I always find myself gravitating back towards the area because that’s generally where the family is,” Panya explained.
“I’m indentured to Joseph Pride; I was doing trackwork for him for a year before deciding to sign up again to get through the apprenticeship properly.
“I’ve been in a very positive mental state, now that I’ve matured, have a family and bought a home.”
When asked what prompted her return to racing, Panya said it was a mixture of things.
“Being happier,” Panya responded.
“Joe’s horses were nice, and it felt like I enjoyed the environment and work again.
“As I always rode outside work, I thought it would be nice to ride a trial or even a race ride here and there for the trainers I rode work for, while at the same time, completing the apprenticeship rather than leave it indefinitely.”
With jockey manager Louise Milton in her corner and 50 winners under her belt, Panya is setting her sights high in 2023/24.
“I would love to keep improving and find myself running for the Sydney Apprentice Jockey Premierships, and for that to happen, I know I’ve got to keep improving,” Panya said.
For the moment, Panya will look to continue her excellent run of form, taking three rides at Gundagai on Tuesday. For Gundagai fields, click here.
