Rider’s plumb season
RYAN Plumb believes his journey back into racing is now complete after claiming the Gold Coast jockeys premiership.
Plumb has spent the past two-and-a-half years rebuilding his life and career and the humble hoop still can’t believe how much life has changed for the better.
The Southport resident was at his lowest point in 2016 when he was listed a missing person by police amid the breakdown of his marriage in Melbourne.
Plumb was sleeping in a car and concedes he was struggling badly as he spent 14 months away from racing to be a single father.
Fast forward to today and Plumb can’t get the smile off his face after riding 47 winners at the Gold Coast and 66 overall.
“It’s amazing to think where I was two-and-a-half years ago and where I was at,” Plumb said. “I thought I was a loser and honestly struggling. Now it’s all come together. I couldn’t be happier.”
The support of Gold Coast trainer Les Kelly, who won the trainers premiership, played a huge role in Plumb’s success. The duo combined to win 32 races together.
“Les was massive and all the owners were great,” Plumb said.
“It was a great season.” The 29-year-old said the premiership was one of his career highlights.
The new season starts this weekend
“I would say it’s a very big high,” Plumb said.
“I took a week off for the kids holidays and even that was flat out with birthday parties and theme parks.”
Plumb is planning a longer break next March to take his two children to Ireland with partner Jane Kiernan to visit her family before returning to defend his title.