Richard Jolly began riding and racing Shetland ponies around the same time he started school, but horses were part of his life even before that. Richard’s father, Peter, had a horse-agistment property about 40 minutes south of Adelaide and he also trained horses as a hobby.
“I was brought up with horses and racing, and racing was the only career I ever had in my mind. I’d get home from school, saddle up the horses and ride until it was dark,” recalled Richard.
At only 14, he became an apprentice jockey and had his first race the same year.
“Dad was a big influence in my life – he taught me to ride and was happy for me to become a jockey. My mum, Helen, was
worried I’d get hurt, but they both knew racing was what I wanted to do and although they probably had some fears, they supported me,” said Richard.
He raced for 14 years, retiring at 28. His proudest achievement in the saddle was riding Saratov to win the 1989 Group 1 Perth Cup when he was 16. Later that year Richard rode her in the Melbourne Cup.
In 1999, he ended his career as a jockey but had spent the previous 12 months planning his next move – as a trainer.
“I’m tall and I was too heavy and had always struggled with my weight. I was happy to finish riding – and to be able to eat again!” he said.
Richard initially joined his father at the family’s Morphettville stables that have been in the family since 1986. He bought a neighbouring property in 1990 and gradually built up his own team and his reputation as a trainer. A highlight in his training career has been winning the Group 1 South Australian Derby with Kushadasi in 2014.
As his father showed him the ropes and shared his knowledge and passion for racing, Richard is now doing the same thing for his daughter, Chantelle.