Tilley clan breaking records

By Jordan Gerrans

Just days after his son racked up a sizeable career milestone, veteran bush jockey Ross Tilley had his own reason to celebrate on Saturday afternoon. 

Ross Tilley – the father of leading Toowoomba hoop Les – has been out of the saddle for the last three years following a bad fall at Jundah in 2022. 

He returned at Cunnamulla earlier this month and brought up his first winner back on his home deck at Charleville on Saturday. 

The 60-year-old was over the moon to grab the victory aboard Voldemort for local Charleville trainer Royce Connolly.

Earlier this month, Ross’ son Les brought up the 800^th winner of his riding career. 

It has been a great few weeks for the father-and-son riding combination. 

Despite his age and extensive rehabilitation needed to get back to the races following the Jundah tumble, Ross never considered pulling up stumps on his riding career. 

He was riding trackwork for Connolly and Carmel Baker, among other trainers at the regional Queensland town, for more than a year before getting back to the races. 

“I thought I was fit enough and I was riding plenty of work, I may as well give it another shot,” Ross said.

“I love riding.

“It was good to get a winner on Saturday and I received a lot of congratulations from everyone in the racing industry out this way.”

Ross did not muck around with his comeback winner either as Voldemort took the prize by almost five lengths over 1625 metres in Benchmark 65 Handicap grade.

The chestnut gelding had not scored in his last seven efforts but as Ross notes, a return to his home track and favourite distance proved key in the triumph.

“I was chuffed and especially for the trainer Royce, as well, as he only ever keeps a small team,” the returning hoop said.

“He puts everything into it and he doesn’t get many results but when he does, he appreciates it.

“Royce is a good bloke; he gets in and helps everyone out. He is a nice fella.

“The horse likes the Charleville track as his last win was over 1600 metres, so he seems to like it.

“In the last couple of starts before Saturday, things haven’t seemed to go his way, but his work hadn’t changed or deteriorated.”

Conditioner Connolly has set up shop at Charleville in recent years after previously being based at Jandowae and Kumbia. 

Voldemort is likely to now target the Charleville Cup on Melbourne Cup day, which will double as a qualifier of the Country Cups Challenge series. 

Ross has been riding for more than 30 years but has not ridden constantly in recent times, having a number of lengthy breaks. 

Racing And Sports’ statistics declare Ross is also nearing a sizeable career milestone with 699 victories on their statistic sheet. 

But, Ross is likely to have more than 699 winners on his resume with his riding career dating back to before their official records were kept. 

Ross was a proud man to see his son Les tick past 800 winners as he won aboard Purezza and Chasing Jackley at a Clifford Park meeting earlier this month. 

“It was real good to see that,” Ross said.

“He is going pretty good.”

The man known as 'Bubba' has made Clifford Park his home base in recent years after previously flying across the Sunshine State in search of winners. 

He has been rewarded with the last two Toowoomba premierships in the riding ranks.