Central Queensland apprentice eyes city move after award-winning season

By Jordan Gerrans

Talented apprentice hoop Tahlia Fenlon has set her sights on a move to the city following an award-winning campaign in the bush.

Still just 19 years of age, the Rockhampton-based emerging rider was honoured on Sunday night at the 2022 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards in Brisbane as the Country Apprentice Jockeys Premiership champion for the 2021-22 season.

On top of riding 23 winners to claim the apprentices’ title, Fenlon also finished inside the top ten for all riders on the country circuit last season.

The daughter of racing administrator Tony Fenlon, Tahlia also produced excellent results on the provincial scene, collecting 53 victories to finish just outside the top ten across the state.

The lightweight hoop amassed 76 victories in just her second season as a professional rider.

After learning under veteran Central Queensland trainer Fred Smith in recent years, Fenlon is now open to a move to the big smoke to mix it with the city-based riders.

“It is probably something I will be looking at around now,” Fenlon said.

“I have lost most of my claim and have two kilograms still at provincial and it would be good to see if I could ride at a metropolitan level with those three kilograms as my claim.

“I have not had a good look into it yet, in terms of moving to Brisbane, I have been focusing on achieving my goals at home.

“I need to start setting a few new goals after winning an award like this.”

While Fenlon is keen for a move to the city, it will not happen in the immediate future.

The smiling youngster accepted her prize from champion jockey Pam O’Neill on Sunday evening on crutches following a recent fall at Twin Hills.

Fenlon will be sidelined for at least six weeks after injuring both ankles.

Despite the injury setback, the up-and-coming jockey remains in positive spirits and cannot wait to get back on the track.

As well as Fenlon’s gong on Sunday night, the Central Queensland region of the Sunshine State was well represented on the awards list for the annual ceremony.

The Racing Queensland Student of the Year award was handed to the Mackay-based Jade Doolan while the Provincial Horse of the Year prize was claimed by Cabalo Escuro, who is trained by Mackay’s Albert Mules.

While Doolan claimed the overall prize in her category, the nominations for the Racing Queensland Student of the Year was also dominated by Central Queenslanders.

Fenlon was also a finalist for the award, as was Rockhampton's Brooke Johnson. 

The Pam O’Neill Outstanding Achievement award was handed to the Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club for the initiative behind creating and delivering the first-ever The Archer slot race at Callaghan Park.

The 33-year-old Doolan was proud to see her region well represented on the big stage.

“We are not one of the biggest regions in Queensland but I definitely think a lot of talent comes out of there and a lot of good horses as well,” Doolan said.

“We just saw Just Super run a really good race in town and that is a lot Rocky horse.

“While we are the smaller fish in the sea, we still give as good as we get.”

Just Super is prepared by young Rockhampton trainer Nick Walsh with the galloper finishing second in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap on Saturday at Eagle Farm.