Doyle brings up century of wins in New Zealand
Jockey Joe Doyle has brought the luck of the Irish with him to the other side of the world and is enjoying a standout season, bringing up his 100th win in New Zealand aboard the Kim Reid-trained Hi Yo Sass Bomb in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.
“It was fantastic, I can’t thank everyone enough. She [Hi Yo Sass Bomb] went really well and gave me a great feel, and I’m delighted for Kim and her small team,” Doyle said.
Doyle tested the New Zealand waters last season and decided to return to have a decent crack at the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership. He is third on 77 wins, behind Warren Kennedy (94) and defending champion Michael McNab (84).
Doyle has accrued 10 stakes victories and nearly $4.1 million in prizemoney this season, exceeding his expectations for his second stint Downunder.
“I had $4m in stake money and 10 stakes winners as a couple of the goals, and I’ve got that far, so I’m in bonus territory a bit now and have no plans on stopping.
“I’m getting close to 300 [career wins] now, I’m on about 280. If I could get 100 in a season and my own personal 300, that would be huge. I couldn’t be happier with how everything has gone.”
Doyle picked up his first elite-level win in New Zealand aboard the Lisa Latta-trained Pignan in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni last year and has added a few more to his highlight reel this term.
“The [New Zealand 1000] Guineas [Group 1, 1600m, aboard Molly Bloom] was massive. The Guineas is a race everyone wants to win, in any jurisdiction, in any country.
“On a personal level, the Bonecrusher [Group 1, 2000m, aboard El Vencedor] was special. It was nice to get a big one at Ellerslie, New Zealand’s HQ. That one felt very good.”
Doyle has enjoyed riding at Ellerslie since it resumed racing in January on its new StrathAyr track, and Doyle said it reminds him of Ireland.
“Ellerslie is quite undulating and that’s something a bit more familiar to me from home. I feel comfortable riding around there and I feel the horses get into a good rhythm with me going around. It’s a unique track with a lot of history and it’s a nice place to be.”
Doyle said there have been a number of variables he has had to adapt to riding in New Zealand.
“In comparison to Europe, a lot of the tracks here, the straights are quite a bit shorter. A lot of the racing here, you’re riding horses for turn of foot and speed late, whereas at home, we tend to jump out, go a gallop and it’s an even run all the way around. It’s something that took a bit of getting used to and I think I’m getting better at it.”
It has been tough for the Irishman to be away from family and friends but he has built his own community in New Zealand and said he is enjoying his time Downunder.
“I have my New Zealand family here with the likes of Tim and Margaret Carter, and Micky and Lauren Brennan. They make me feel at home, which is a massive help.
“It has been tough being so far away for this long. I’ve been away from home for longer, just not this far away. That has been a mental test, but when you’re getting winners every week, that certainly helps.”
Doyle felt the presence of home in Dunedin on Sunday, when he celebrated St Patrick’s Day following riding at Wingatui last weekend.
While initially planning to be in New Zealand only for the season, Doyle said he hasn’t ruled out staying in his adopted country longer-term.
“I’m getting on well here and I’m very comfortable. I have to be here a bit longer before I can even think about applying for residency but it’s certainly something on my mind. There’s a high possibility you haven’t seen the end of me yet.”