Former topflight jockey Michael “Squizzy” Squires made a quiet return to the saddle at Moree races on Friday when he steered Wayne Brown’s The Real Prince into third placing behind Golden Point and Nikolai in a 950m barrier trial after the last race.
And while punters across Australia will have their collective eyes on the race that stops a nation at Flemington next Tuesday, Squires will ramp up his comeback at a non-TAB meeting at Tamworth.
The return has been a few months in the making for one of bush racing’s most popular identities – not that he’s been that far away from the racetrack in recent times.
For the past three years, Squires has been riding trackwork for several Tamworth trainers. He gallops and exercises up to 16 horses each morning – hard work that has kept his fitness and competitive edge ticking over.
He also undergoes three-hour gym sessions, six days a week to keep his weight in check.
Now, he says, the desire to get back on board on race-day has never been stronger.
“I haven’t been this naturally fit in years,” Squires said.
“I’m sharp and have my competitive mind-set again, and with a good book of rides waiting for me on Tuesday, I’m excited to be back doing what I do best.”
He hasn’t ridden competitively since May 24, 2020, when Justin Bown legged him aboard Tariff Trump in a 1280m maiden at Muswellbrook. His last winner was Fonda for Les Roberts at Gilgandra three months before his last ride.
Squires, a former leading apprentice who honed his craft in Sydney under the guidance of astute trainer Jack Denham, has picked up four rides at Tuesday’s six-race Tamworth card.
He rides I am Dutch in the 1200m Barnson maiden plate and Springstreet Blues (2100m Expressway Spares BM-50 handicap) for Ray Hartley as well as Suva May in the 1400m Scooters and Mobility Tamworth BM-50 handicap for Theresa Stair.
Squires wraps up his first day back at the office on Troy O’Neile’s Festivaa in the 1000m Kel Penfold Finance BM-50 handicap.
“I’ve picked up some handy rides for my first day back, and I’m looking forward to getting back out there on race-day,” Squires said.
Squires was bred to be a jockey. His grandfather, Arthur Squires, trained hundreds of winners around the north-west during the 1960s and 1970s and his father, Ian Squires, was a gun jockey 40-odd years ago.
“It’s in my blood, I suppose,” Squiz smiled.
“I grew up in Moree – my home town – and learned a lot through pony camp and from the Sinclair family during my early years. I owe a lot to Phillip and Peter Sinclair; they were great mentors.
“Phil was a hard boss and I am ever so grateful for everything he taught me. He helped make me. Phil is a legend, and one of the best horsemen I’ve ever met.”
Words and Images – Bill Poulos.
