Back in the saddle again
ALMOST four years after being banned for testing positive to the methamphetamine ice, Tasmanian jockey Jason Maskiell, 26, has returned to the saddle to resurrect his career.
SIX years ago, Tasmanian Jason Maskiell was riding the crest of a wave in Melbourne where he was being hailed as the most promising jockey in Australia.
He had connections to the leading stables and was riding multiple group winners, which kept the kid from Longford in the national racing spotlight.
But in November 2013 Maskiell’s career came to a shuddering halt when he was disqualified and found to have an addiction to the methamphetamine ice.
A few feeble attempts to rid himself of the addiction failed and several times he came close to taking his own life.
But he found a way to fight his way back and yesterday Maskiell, 26, took another step towards resurrecting his career by riding in official trials at Elwick in Hobart.
Maskiell was given the all-clear from stewards to resume riding trackwork two months ago, paving the way for him to renew his riding career in Tasmania at the start of the upcoming racing season.
“It’s been a tough road, no doubt about it, but I am so determined to get back to where I belong,” Maskiell said.
“When I went to the races for the first time this year I probably appeared a bit shy, but I was more ashamed of what I’d done to myself.
“It’ll be four years in November since I lost my licence and what I’ve been through because of the drugs was horrendous.
“To be honest, I’m probably already a winner because I’ve come back from beating the devil.
“To overcome all those things and be where I am today, with the chance to renew my career, is just amazing.”
Maskiell said Matthew Stringer, the licensee of the Queens Arms Hotel in Longford, had been a guiding light on his journey back to the real world.
“Matthew has been my saviour, really,” Maskiell said.
“He gave me a job and I work every day at the pub from 9-3pm and if I feel down and start to get a bit de- pressed, I just call him and he talks me through things.
“I’ve had incredible support from my family, who never gave up on me, and that more than anything is what I cherish the most.”
Maskiell knows the road ahead will still provide a few bumps which he will have to ride out, but he is setting the bar high on his goals.
“Recovery is an ongoing process and I’m fully aware of that,” he said.
“But to come out on this side of the fence after being in a state of wanting to die is enough incentive for me to never want to be back in that place.
“I want to win next season’s jockey premiership and beat my good friend David Pires, who’s won the past three titles.”
Maskiell also wants to return to Melbourne, but he will finish next season in his home state before attempting the move.
“I still have great belief in my ability and I know I can be competitive in Melbourne, so that’s the long-term goal, but for now I’m just happy to be back riding and doing what I do best,” he said.