Kyle Wilson-Taylor wins raced named in honour of late mate
The Jesse Riley 2YO Handicap was named in honour of Wilson-Taylor's late best mate and it was raced at Coffs Harbour last Friday, exactly four years to the day since Riley's unexpected passing.
It was the race the Queensland jockey wanted to win more than any other and it was months in the planning that saw him partner Kris Lees' young filly Issy's Star, who started the $2.10 favourite.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
When the filly bolted in to win by almost six lengths, emotions overflowed.
'I did it for Jesse, not for myself, I just know he would have been looking down from above and got a big thrill out of it,' Wilson-Taylor told Racenet.
'It was probably equally as special as winning a Group 1.
'He was a great mate, everyone at Coffs Harbour loved him.
'I can still hear his laugh, he had a big, obnoxious laugh on him and he was just a great human.
Kyle Wilson-Taylor (left) riding at the beach with his late mate Jesse Riley. Picture: Supplied.
• 12, 13, 12, 13, 15, 10, 16 … surely this barrier bad luck can't continue?
'When he was younger he was an apprentice jockey but he struggled with his weight.
'He sort of lived his dream through me a bit, but tragically he passed away, it was really unexpected.
'The day that he passed away, I was driving to the Kilcoy races and I was just shattered, it's the only day of my adult life that I can't even remember really.
'In recent times I had gotten in touch with Jesse's old man and he hasn't been too well, I lined it up so he could get there for the race.
'I was very emotional when I won the race, I tried not to cry but I came back in and saw his Dad crying and it was intense.'
Sometimes a race is much more than a race and that was the case last Friday.
Two years ago, Wilson-Taylor soared into the Group 1 club when he won the Tatt's Tiara on Palaisipan.
Sadly, his great mate never got to see it.
Wilson-Taylor was determined to honour him at Coffs Harbour last week.
Jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor celebrates with connections of Issy's Star after his emotional victory in the Coffs Harbour race named in honour of his late mate Jesse Riley. Picture: Trackside Photography
• Dream come true, literally, for longshot Cup winner's owner
'I spoke to Kris Lees months out and I asked him to do me a solid, if he could send something that would win the race for me,' Wilson-Taylor said.
'Jesse was a major influence in my life and, without him, I might not be riding today.
'I had my troubles when I left Victoria and I moved to Coffs Harbour and he was the first friend I made there, we just clicked.
'I would finish track work and have nothing to do and so I would go around to his place and punch bungers (cigarettes) and drink coffees and just talk all day.
'He had been young and wild but once his daughter was born, he completely turned his life around and was such a devoted father.
'There were times after I had moved to Brisbane when I would call him and say I wanted to go back to Coffs Harbour.
'He would just give me a verbal spray on the other end of the phone.
'He always had a lot of faith in me which was a big thing, because there were a lot of times when people didn't.
'He is the closest person to me that I've had pass away and they still don't really know what happened to him.'
Jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor and Issy's Star at Coffs Harbour last Friday. Picture: Trackside Photography.
Wilson-Taylor has copped a riding suspension and will miss Group 1 Tatt's Tiara day but will be back for the final day of the Queensland winter carnival on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday week.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Australian and Queensland governments sign agreement to fund Brisbane Olympics infrastructure
The Commonwealth has agreed to contribute just under half the cost of building the 2032 Olympic Games venues, under a deal struck with the Queensland government. The federal government will provide no more than $3.43bn towards the building of 17 new and upgraded venues for the Games, with the infrastructure expected to cost $7.1bn in total. A significant proportion of that contribution will be spent on the new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park and 25,000-seat National Aquatic Centre in Spring Hill. The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) gives the Commonwealth seats on the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board and is contingent on the state government developing a plan for Victoria Park which has a "focus on improving access to green space." "We can guarantee you that every part of Victoria Park that's not stadium will be green space," Queensland Minister for Sport Tim Mander said. The Queensland government has also agreed to involve its federal counterparts in naming the Victoria Park stadium and will establish a plaque at the venue acknowledging Commonwealth support. It has long been International Olympic Committee policy that brand names be kept off venues used for the Games. However, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games organisers recently announced they were breaking with that policy and allowing companies to sponsor stadiums and arenas. The chair of the LA Games, Casey Wasserman, said the many millions of dollars these sponsorship deals bring in is essential for an Olympic Games which doesn't have a government as its primary funding source. The IGA for the Brisbane 2032 Games also prevents the state government from selling or offering long-term leases on Olympic venues for 25 years, unless the federal government agrees to it. If they are sold or leased in future, the federal government will be entitled to a cut. Mr Mander said the Queensland government was required to demonstrate to the Commonwealth that the venues will be built on time and on budget, and represent a good use of taxpayer funds, before the funding deal could be reached. He said the IGA is an endorsement of that plan, and demonstrates a spirit of cooperation which will help make the games a success. In total, 37 venues across 11 Queensland cities will be used to host the 28 Olympic and 22 Paralympic sports. However, which sports will be included in the games won't be determined until an IOC meeting next year, leaving Brisbane 2032 organisers having to create a venue plan without knowing exactly which sports they need to cater for. "Of course, some of them will be bleedingly obvious, where they will be. There will be others that will need to be worked out," Mr Mander said. New sports can be added to each Olympic Games, on top of the 'core' events. At LA 2028 there will be six additional sports: cricket, baseball, flag football, lacrosse, squash and softball. Mr Mander said he didn't expect to be adding as many as that to the Brisbane 2032 schedule. "It is important to know that any additional sports, outside the 28 core sports, those costs have to be born by the host."
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Sydney FC forced to plan for potential exit of Brazilian star Douglas Costa
Sydney FC has started planning for life without Douglas Costa, with fears growing that the former Juventus and Bayern Munich star won't return for the upcoming A-League season. Costa remains in his home country of Brazil for personal reasons, and while Sydney officials are remaining patient with the 34-year-old winger, they need the issue resolved so they have time to find a replacement, if needed, before the transfer window closes next month. While the Sky Blues remain hopeful Costa returns, the club's other Brazilian import, midfielder Leo Sena, is set to be cut loose by the club. Sydney's head of player management Alex Baumjohannn on Monday told club supporters at a fan forum that Sena was no longer part of the Sky Blues' plans despite having a season to run on his contract. Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay on Wednesday said Sena, 29, was 'mentally and physically not in the place we want him to be'. 'Personal issues that he's had off the field has definitely hindered his physical side of the game, so it's disappointing in that sense because we still believe he's a quality player that definitely adds value to our team, but we'll see how things pan out in the next couple of weeks with him,' Talay said. 'He's still part of the group, he's still here with the team, but moving forward we'll see how that pans out.' As for Costa, Talay said the club had no choice but to be prepared for the potential non-return of its marquee man. 'We want Douglas back. He's dying to get back,' the Sydney mentor said. 'There's no definite timeline, but for us, at the same time, we're thinking ahead. If things don't go to plan, we don't need to be sitting on our hands. 'We're hoping that we can get him here as soon as possible, but in the background, there is some work being done, so if it doesn't plan out the way we want it to be, we'll have to move forward in another direction. 'We're very wary as a team and as a club that the transfer window is closing pretty soon, and we need to make sure that we're not left in the lurch without getting a player across the line.' Costa and former Manchester United star Juan Mata were the A-League's two prized recruits ahead of the 2024-2025 season. However, there's now a chance that neither will be part of the competition going forward, with Spanish veteran Mata yet to decide if he will re-sign with Western Sydney Wanderers, where he received little game time last season under coach Alen Stajcic. Mata, 37, has also been linked with a move to Central Coast; however, the Mariners have been reluctant to sign new players due to financial constraints. While the Gosford-based club last week announced the signing of former Socceroos goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, it's understood the Mariners had to go through with the acquisition of the ex-Sky Blues gloveman after intervention from Professional Footballers Australia because the veteran custodian signed a contract with Central Coast for the new season in March.
Herald Sun
2 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Maharaj, Markram, steer South Africa to big win against Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia has been served a brutal defeat to open its one-day series against South Africa, going down by 98 runs at Cazalys Stadium on Tuesday night. The hosts suffered a calamitous batting collapse at the hands of Keshav Maharaj, with the veteran off-spinner ripping through Australia's top and middle order in Cairns. After a promising start to their run chase, Australia lost six wickets for just 19 runs, with five of those coming at the hands of Maharaj. The hosts seemed to have no answer for the 35-year-old tweaker, who had never taken a five wicket haul in ODIs before. 'To see it come together is super special. You train really hard as individuals and as a team to get that kind of performance,' he said. 'As a cricketer you want to take five-fors in multiple formats, and so to tick ODIs off the list after having done it in Test cricket before it's good to get one under the belt in white ball cricket.' Keshav Maharaj celebrates one of his five wickets. Picture: Getty Images It's a performance which will have George Bailey and the rest of the Australian selection panel scratching their heads. Test cricket mainstays Alex Carey (golden duck) and Cam Green (3) both disappointed, while Marnus Labuschagne (1) and Josh Inglis (5) both failed to push their case for a recall. Maharaj finished with figures of 5/33 off 10 overs, the fourth best by a South African in ODIs on Australian soil. It's a performance that sees him join the ranks of Proteas legends like Morne Morkel and Lance Klusner. 'To be mentioned in the conversation with legends is always a special feeling,' he said. 'Whenever you get acknowledged in those conversations it's special.' Captain Mitchell Marsh and Ben Dwarshius mounted a fightback, with the former making a gallant half-century as the rest of his batting lineup tumbled around him. Marsh said the Aussies simply had to 'take their hat off' to a performance like the one Maharaj produced. 'The newer ball spun more than what we probably thought it would. But he's a world-class bowler and on days like today you just probably just take your hat off to him.' Dwarshius played well for his 33, before getting himself out in the meekest manner possible, bunting a simple catch to Dewald Brevis at short mid-wicket. Marsh's defiance in the face of ever-growing odds was heroic, but he was ultimately caught fishing 12 short of a century. 'I think over the past month and a half, Ben's development in this format has been really impressive,' Marsh said. 'He's a really good fielder, he's obviously got a lot of value with the ball and can bat.' Having been set a target of 297 for victory, the Aussies fell well short, ultimately dismissed for 198 with just under 10 overs remaining. Lungi Ngidi was next best in the SA bowling attack, taking 2/28, while Nandre Burger claimed a pair of scalps as well. Mitchell Marsh provided the main resistance with the bat. Picture: AFP HEAD STARS IN AUSSIE FIGHTBACK Travis Head will be claiming genuine all-rounder honours after his efforts with ball in hand, claiming four wickets including the prized scalp of Brevis The Aussies looked sure to be staring down the barrel of a total of significantly more than 300, but the spin partnership of Adam Zampa and Head helped them claw their way back into the contest. Just as South Africa looked poised to capitalise on their strong start and put together a massive total, the Aussies found their way back into the contest. They did so via the spin tandem of specialist Zampa and Head. Travis Head took four wickets, and a superb run out. Picture: AFP It was the former who knocked over the first domino, having Breetzke caught in the deep for 57. Subsequently, Head struck twice in the span of three balls, first having Tristan Stubbs caught for a duck. And while 22-year-old sensation Brevis made a statement with his first ball, he was brought unstuck by his second, departing for six as he holed out to long on. The 31-year-old could do no wrong, picking up his fourth wicket when he had Keshav Maharaj caught in the deep. And he was able to effect the unluckiest of run outs for Prenelan Subrayen, getting a fingertip to the ball as it flew back toward the stumps at the non-striker's end, with the off-spinner caught millimetres short of his ground. 'Trav has been bowling a lot in the nets preparing for a day like today,' Marsh said. 'It's so handy to have someone like him, especially on the bigger ground using the wind. 'We've done that a few times with him and it was effective today.' DRS SHENANIGANS The umpires likely didn't make any friends in the Australian camp, after the hosts endured a brutal day with the DRS. Nathan Ellis copped a tough decision LBW from the umpires, but with the Aussies having burned their reviews he lost any chance at a reprieve. That came after South African opener Ryan Rickelton was initially given out by field umpire Sam Nogajski, only to have DRS reveal the ball was going over the top of middle stump. Then five balls later Marsh unsuccessfully reviewed a decision by Chris Gaffaney, who gave Rickelton not out LBW, with the ball found to be pitching outside leg stump. Aiden Markram led the way for South Africa with the bat. Picture: AFP The Aussies then burned both of their reviews before the first drinks break of their innings, with both Labuschagne and Carey sent packing after their LBW reviews showed up with three red lights. The tables were turned later on, as an LBW appeal by South Africa was initially turned down, and while a spike on snicko wasn't enough to deter the TV umpire, the 'umpire's call' orange light stepped in to save Ellis. INNINGS BREAK: Head reels in South Africa A flurry of wickets in the final 10 overs has helped Australia keep South Africa to a manageable target in the first one-day international in Cairns. Travis Head will be claiming genuine all-rounder honours after his efforts with ball in hand, claiming four wickets including the prized scalp of Dewald Brevis. The Aussies looked sure to be staring down the barrel of a total of significantly more than 300, but the spin partnership of Adam Zampa and Head helped them claw their way back into the contest. The tourists got the start they would've been hoping for via the opening pair of Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, as they put on 92 for the first wicket. Aiden Markram was in superb touch in his return to the top of the order. Picture: AFP Markram looked a near certainty to reach three figures, cruising to 82 at just better than a run a ball and looking totally untroubled at the crease. But a brain fade near the halfway point of the innings brought him unstuck, as he guided a Ben Dwarshius delivery into the waiting gloves of Josh Inglis. His departure brought Matthew Breetzke to the crease to pair with captain Temba Bavuma. Their partnership wasn't all that flashy, but it was effective, as they took the Proteas all the way to 3/223 at the 40-over mark. Just as South Africa looked poised to capitalise on their strong start and put together a massive total, the Aussies found their way back into the contest. Travis Head took four wickets, and a superb run out. Picture: AFP They did so via the spin tandem of specialist Zampa and Head. It was the former who knocked over the first domino, having Breetzke caught in the deep for 57. Subsequently, Head struck twice in the span of three balls, first having Tristan Stubbs caught for a duck. And while 22-year-old sensation Brevis made a statement with his first ball, he was brought unstuck by his second, departing for six as he holed out to long on. South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma reacts as he walks off the ground after being bowled out. Picture: AFP The 31-year-old could do no wrong, picking up his fourth wicket when he had Keshav Maharaj caught in the deep. And he was able to effect the unluckiest of run outs for Prenelan Subrayen, getting a fingertip to the ball as it flew back toward the stumps at the non-strikers end, with the off-spinner caught millimetres short of his ground. A last-ball six from Wiaan Mulder (31 off 26) was enough to see the Proteas just short of the 300 mark, as they finished their allotment on 8/296. Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the ODI series. Picture: Getty Images Meanwhile, South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the three-match one-day international series against Australia because of inflammation in his ankle. Rabada played all three Twenty20s in the preceding series between the teams but underwent a scan on Monday after feeling discomfort. South Africa announced Rabada's withdrawal just one hour before the ODI series-opener in Cairns. He will remain on the Australia tour, where he will undergo rehabilitation. Left-arm 19-year-old quick Kwena Maphaka, who claimed a leading nine wickets in the T20 series, has been added to the squad but was overlooked for the series-opener. Veteran quick Lungi Ngidi leads a South African attack featuring off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, who makes his ODI debut. South Africa were sent in to bat first. Originally published as Australia vs. South Africa, first ODI: Maharaj, Markram, steer South Africa to big win
