Amber Riddell may be following her parents’ footsteps into racing, but the newly licensed apprentice jockey is keen to plot her on path in the industry she loves.
The daughter of Group One-winning jockey Jonathan Riddell and former jockey and trainer Trina Marshall was always destined for a career in the saddle, however, she was keen to get some qualifications under her belt before she pursued that vocation.
The 22-year-old has spent the last few years attending Waikato University but kept her passion for racing alive by competing as an amateur jockey, recording four wins in the last two seasons.
Riddell received plenty of support from Central Districts trainers during her time as an amateur, particularly from Wanganui horsewoman Jo Rathbone.
“I won four races as an amateur and three of those were for Jo,” Riddell said. “My first win was aboard Quota and I also rode Billy Boy to two wins.
“Winning the amateur race at Riccarton (on Bad Flamingo for local trainer Andrew Carston) last year during Grand National week was also really special.”
Riddell enjoyed competing as an amateur and said it helps lay a great foundation for young riders.
“I don’t think I would have got to where I am without it,” she said. “It has definitely helped, especially on my first raceday as an apprentice, I wasn’t that nervous because I had already ridden on raceday as an amateur. It has been really good to help me transition.”
After completing her university degree a couple of months ago, Riddell thought it was the right time to fully commit to racing and give a career as a jockey a go.
With the support she received from the Central Districts during her time as an amateur, Riddell felt it was the perfect region to kick-off her riding career in the professional ranks, and she has made the move to Wanganui where she is apprenticed to renowned trainer Kevin Myers.
“I would come to ride at the trials down here and I would get a lot of opportunities from a lot of the trainers, so it was an easy decision to come to the Central Districts,” Riddell said.
“I have always known the Myers family and earlier this year I went to the Castlepoint Beach races where I rode for them. Kevin is so supportive of all the apprentices he has had, they have all had great opportunities, so I thought it would be a great place to go.
“I am really grateful to the Myers family for taking me on as an apprentice. In the short time that I have been here, my riding has improved so much, and every day I learn something new.
“They have taken me on like I am a family member, it is really nice to be here and Kevin has given me a lot of opportunities.”
Riddell said helping out at Myers’ dairy farm has also added another dimension to her work life.
“I am loving learning about farming in general,” she said. “I haven’t done much in the past, so every day I am learning something new. I just learnt to milk the other day, which was fun.”
Riddell is pleased she elected to head to university prior to commencing her apprenticeship and said her sport science degree could lead into a career path post her riding career.
“I did a human performance science degree at Waikato University and that has really helped with the nutrition and sport side of being a jockey,” she said.
“It is a good thing to have as a back-up because you never know what could happen. Maybe after I have retired from riding it could help with a career in helping other jockeys.”
Riddell has already had 10 rides as an apprentice this season and said she has leaned on the experience of both of her parents in the last month.
“I just go to him (Jonathan Riddell) if I need any advice, he has been really helpful,” Riddell said.
“My mum has also given me a lot of advice and she was there on my first raceday as an apprentice. It was good to have her there.
“I am very lucky to have my parents in racing.”
Riddell has yet to ride home her first winner as an apprentice but could change that at New Plymouth on Saturday where she has three rides, including last start stakes winner Islington Lass for local trainer Allan Sharrock in the New Plymouth Building Supplies 1400.
“I am really excited to ride Islington Lass, I think she will be a good chance,” she said.
Riddell will also compete against her father in the James Hardie 1400, where she will ride Ocean Road, while Riddell senior will partner topweight Bruno.
“I am really competitive, and so is he, so it will be fun racing against him,” she said. “I’d love to try and beat him in a close finish.”
Riddell is pinching herself that she is getting paid to ride, a dream that was developed when she first rode track work as a high school student.
“I used to get up every morning before school to go and ride track work in Cambridge for Lauren Brennan,” she said.
“I love horses and I love riding, so I am glad I can turn that into a career.”
