Added strength proving a winner for Jessop

By Jordan Gerrans

Putting on a few extra kilograms can always be a dangerous decision for a jockey, especially when they are still in their apprenticeship. 

For Toowoomba’s Isabel Jessop, as many as four more kilograms on the scales might just be the making of her as a rider. 

That is the view of her boss Stephen Kirkwood, who believes Jessop’s recent addition of a few kilograms of muscle and strength has been key to her development. 

Jessop has been busy on the country circuit of late and she is eager to step up to the provincial level in the near future. 

Clifford Park horseman Kirkwood has seen a difference in his apprentice’s riding this year after they made the decision for Jessop to add a few more kilograms. 

“I think she's focused a lot more on her fitness and her strength, which is a big help,” he said.

“She's a lightweight rider as it is. But, I think she's put on three or four kilos and I think a lot of that's muscle.

“So, then that strengthens her up and gives her more ability to be stronger at the end of races. 

“And, that's what some of these lighter girls can lack.

“So, that's been her initiative and she's done a really good job, so I'm happy with the way she's going.”

The 26-year-old Jessop has her riding weight listed at 52kg and still claims two kilograms at country meetings. 

In recent weeks she has scored winners at Burrandowan, Jandowae, Goondiwindi, Kilcoy and Augathella. 

She travelled to Nanango on Saturday and was forced to settle for a second for her best finish across the program. 

As she aims to graduate to the provincial level in the future, Jessop says country-style racing has been important for her development and growth. 

“I think it's very crucial to go out there and to learn,” she said.

“It teaches you how to drive them out the gates properly and to make sure you have a spot in the race.

“It really teaches you to ride them out properly to the line. I've loved going out bush and riding.

“I think it's taught me heaps, definitely. It's given me a lot of confidence.

“The bush is very fast paced, but you still learn a lot.”

Earlier in her career, Jessop spent a year under trainer Olivia Cairns before transferring to the stable of Jeff Dunn.

She began her riding tenure when she was with Dunn in the middle stages of 2024 before she eventually made her way to the Darling Downs of Toowoomba.

The English-born hoop believes the move to Clifford Park has been an excellent fit.

Kirkwood prepares his team alongside wife Catherine.

“It’s been great,” the jockey said of the move.

"I used to ride work for the Kirkwood stable prior to actually transferring here, so it's been pretty seamless.

“But, it's just, they've made me feel right at home and just like a part of the family.

“So, I am very, very happy here. They're great. You can't ask for nicer people.

“I'm very, very fortunate. They're great. They're very lovely people.”

Experienced trainer Kirkwood can see his apprentice riding at Clifford Park under lights on a Saturday night in the near future. 

“We're lucky that she has come on board now and she's been a really big help with us,” the trainer said.

“It was a no-brainer for us when we had the opportunity to take her on board and she was happy to move across.

"She's been going well since she's come across. She's been getting full books everywhere where she goes.

“People are happy to put her on and I can see in the not-too-distant future that we'll be looking for a provincial licence.

“We're going to start to aim towards the country TAB meetings a lot more for her to ride at.

“That is where she will get a little bit more exposure with those meetings and then I'm hoping that she moves forward into the provincial level.”

Outside of the Kirkwood stable, Jessop says she has also appreciated support from fellow Toowoomba trainers Jim Hanna and Kevin Kemp, who she has ridden winners for in recent times.

Jessop has 12 winners to her name this season. 

Jessop was set to ride at Goondiwindi on Saturday before the race meeting was abandoned due to wet conditions. 

She will head to Murwillumbah on Sunday to partner Galeka for trainer Wayne Nugent.