Saddling up winning jockeys

By Jessica Howard

This year’s Ballan Cup winning jockey won more than just bragging rights at the annual Ballan Jockey Club races.

Brandon Stockdale, who rode five-year-old bay gelding Gold Fields to victory on Saturday (November 11), was presented with a saddle created by Balliang East resident Brian Luke.

A jockey turned saddler, Mr Luke founded Luke Jockey Saddles in 1992 and has exported to most racing countries around the world.

Mr Luke said he was thrilled to present the 240-gram red and black saddle to Stockdale.

“Last month when Ballan hosted the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour, my son Cameron was the MC for the evening and we got talking to Billy Smith (Ballan Jockey Club President) and I said I would throw in a saddle for the winning jockey,” he said.

“I was really excited to present it on Saturday; it makes you feel good to be able to give a bit back to the jockeys”.
Gold Fields claimed his sixth win from 18 starts over the 1500-metre journey at Geelong Racecourse.

Stockdale said he had ridden the horse before, recording most of the wins aboard Gold Fields.
“I get on well with the horse and we had the widest barrier for the Cup.

“He is a real momentum horse and I got rolling from the 600-metre mark and he just towed me in to the straight and away he went.

Stockdale believes the horse would run well over 2000 metres and can’t wait for Mornington trainer Logan McGill to step him up.

Gold Fields drew away from the pack and won by just under two lengths from Darren Weir trained Imperator Augustus.

“It is great to get the gold cup as a jockey and a bonus to get a saddle also; a very generous gift,” Stockdale said.

Mr Luke said it was a good feeling knowing Stockdale would go on to ride in one of his saddles.
“It gives me a bit of a kick, I had an excellent day and I’ll definitely be back next year”.

Mr Lukes’ saddles have been worn by five Caulfield Cup and three Melbourne Cup winning horses, including Brew (2000), Media Puzzle (2002) and Protectionist (2014).

The Ballan Cup race was sponsored by the Ballan & District Community Bank, with other local sponsors including: Moorabool, Wind Farm, The Moorabool News, Tatchell’s Transport, Avis Ballarat (Rix Cars), Ballan District Health & Care, Premier Fencing and Ace Kitchens & Cabinetry.