Latest news with #Brisbane premiership

The Australian
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Angela Jones' mum proud as punch over history-making feats
The proud mum of history-making Brisbane jockey Angela Jones says there was no talking her daughter out of a career in racing, despite the family's initial apprehension. Julie Nedelkovski was the happiest woman at Eagle Farm on Saturday as the feats of her record-breaking daughter were celebrated. Angela Jones went where no female jockey had ever gone before when she claimed the recently finished Brisbane jockeys' premiership, warding off great mate and top apprentice jockey Emily Lang. Unlike many jockeys, Jones comes from a family with no racing background. READ: Jones' remarkable journey from the outback Growing up in the Queensland bush, Jones decided she wanted to try to pursue a career as a jockey but had to talk her Mum and the rest of her family into it. • 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! 'We were worried about the dangers of horse racing, we love her so much and we didn't want her to be in any danger,' Nedelkovski said. 'We didn't know much about the whole industry and we were a bit worried. 'I was very cautious, because of the danger aspect. 'But Angela was very determined and she held her ground. 'She is very easy going but when she wants to do something, there is no stopping her.' READ: Orman praises Jones after 'deserving' title success Nedelkovski, who now lives in Toowoomba, said her daughter had a 'real connection with horses' right from the time she first sat on horseback. The family – which was initially cautious about Jones becoming a jockey – now gets a huge thrill when they tune into the horse racing coverage to watch her ride. But as proud as mum is of her daughter's riding, she is even prouder at the way the young jockey conducts herself off the track. Jones is engaged to be married to fellow jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor who often tells the family what a jockey star she is. 'She is so humble – she never plays herself up, she never promotes her ability,' Nedelkovski said. 'It's other people who tell me that, Kyle will tell me how good she is. 'But you never hear that from her.' It was a thrilling end to the Brisbane premiership season with Jones clinging onto a two-win margin over champion apprentice Lang in the city riding premiership. They were also interesting times for champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan, seeing as both jockeys are key riders for him. 'I certainly didn't favour one of them over the other one in the last couple of months of the season,' Gollan said. 'I just tried to get them on the right horses which suited both of them. 'I am very lucky to have both of these young ladies riding for my stable.' The star young female jockeys took part in an autograph signing session at Eagle Farm on Saturday, engaging the next generation of racing fans at a families' day at the Brisbane racetrack. Horse Racing Nine-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside has made his first appearance since Hong Kong, cruising through a jumpout at Flemington. Horse Racing The achievements of women jockeys Angela Jones and Emily Lang have inspired the next generation of kids trying to emulate their heroines.

News.com.au
03-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Angela Jones' Mum as proud as punch over history-making feats in claiming Queensland jockeys' premiership
The proud Mum of history-making Brisbane jockey Angela Jones says there was no talking her daughter out of a career in racing, despite the family's initial apprehension. Julie Nedelkovski was the happiest woman at Eagle Farm on Saturday as the feats of her record-breaking daughter were celebrated. Angela Jones went where no female jockey had ever gone before when she claimed the recently finished Brisbane jockeys' premiership, warding off great mate and top apprentice jockey Emily Lang. Unlike many jockeys, Jones comes from a family with no racing background. Growing up in the Queensland bush, Jones decided she wanted to try to pursue a career as a jockey but had to talk her Mum and the rest of her family into it. 'We were worried about the dangers of horse racing, we love her so much and we didn't want her to be in any danger,' Nedelkovski said. 'We didn't know much about the whole industry and we were a bit worried. 'I was very cautious, because of the danger aspect. 'But Angela was very determined and she held her ground. 'She is very easy going but when she wants to do something, there is no stopping her.' Nedelkovski, who now lives in Toowoomba, said her daughter had a 'real connection with horses' right from the time she first sat on horseback. The family – which was initially cautious about Jones becoming a jockey – now gets a huge thrill when they tune into the horse racing coverage to watch her ride. But as proud as Mum is of her daughter's riding, she is even prouder at the way the young jockey conducts herself off the track. Jones is engaged to be married to fellow jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor who often tells the family what a jockey star she is. 'She is so humble – she never plays herself up, she never promotes her ability,' Nedelkovski said. 'It's other people who tell me that, Kyle will tell me how good she is. 'But you never hear that from her.' It was a thrilling end to the Brisbane premiership season with Jones clinging onto a two-win margin over champion apprentice Lang in the city riding premiership. They were also interesting times for champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan, seeing as both jockeys are key riders for him. 'I certainly didn't favour one of them over the other one in the last couple of months of the season,' Gollan said. 'I just tried to get them on the right horses which suited both of them. 'I am very lucky to have both of these young ladies riding for my stable.' The star young female jockeys took part in an autograph signing session at Eagle Farm on Saturday, engaging the next generation of racing fans at a families' day at the Brisbane racetrack.

The Australian
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
‘Deserving winner': Jimmy Orman delighted to watch Angela Jones win Brisbane jockeys' title
Jimmy Orman would have won his fourth consecutive Brisbane riding title if he hadn't seized the opportunity of a lifetime in Hong Kong, but he is chuffed that Angela Jones got to walk in his premiership footsteps. Orman is back in Queensland on a family holiday and has been paying notice to the final stages of the premiership race with Jones warding off great mate Emily Lang to make history as the first female jockey to score the Brisbane premiership. • 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! If Orman hadn't been snapped up in Hong Kong, he would have scored his fourth successive Brisbane title as he already had 45 winners under his belt for the Brisbane season before heading off in February. Orman will soon be back riding in Hong Kong, where he is contracted until February, but is chuffed that Jones and Lang fought out the riding title. • This isn't a novelty': Female hoops set up for success 'Ange is a great rider and so is Emily and both have ridden really well this season,' Orman said. 'When I first started riding in Brisbane I was already noticing the increase in female riders, especially in the apprentice ranks. 'Back then there were also a lot of girls who were going to be apprentice jockeys, but they didn't end up riding for one reason or another. 'It's great to see these girls riding so well for a leading stable, with Tony Gollan, and I think Ange is a deserving winner. 'I had been going for four (premierships) but I upped and left. 'It's superb to see a female jockey has won the title for the first time.' Champion Queensland trainer Gollan said it was hardly a surprise that history was made at Doomben. 'This was always going to be a matter of when, not if,' Gollan said. 'There has been this emergence (of female jockeys) going on for some time. 'It's terrific for both of these girls, they have both had breakout seasons, and it's really good for racing. 'My stable has always been receptive to using female jockeys, even going right back to when I trained in Toowoomba.' • Rosehill, politics, the haters and his future: V'landys reveals all Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mander was thrilled with the fabulous racing milestone. 'This is an historic moment in Queensland racing,' Mander said. 'While there can only be one winner, I'd like to congratulate both Angela and Emily on terrific seasons in the saddle. 'I hope their achievements inspire other young women to pursue their dreams in the industry.' Angela Jones (right) celebrates her title win with nearest rival Emily Lang and trainer Tony Gollan. Picture: Steve Pohlner Meanwhile, Orman will soon return to Hong Kong where he hopes to build his connections after already riding 13 winners there. He was initially snapped up by the Hong Kong Jockey Club after several jockeys suffered injuries in a fall. • Beriman's appeal for concussion protocols to be strengthened But he has made the most of his opportunities there and wants to try to make it a longer-term stint. 'It's a good lifestyle and it's great racing, so I will try and stay as long as I can while I'm doing well,' Orman said. 'It will be better for me when I go back this time, because I now know more about how the system works. 'I don't want to set my goals too high, I just want to try to stay consistent and build more connections. 'If you can ride winners you can stay, that seems to be how it works.'