Chasing Glory: The Road to Stradbroke Season | Angela Jones

By Dylan Mutu

While rising hoop Angela Jones may appear laid-back on the surface, her commitment and drive to towards her profession couldn’t be more opposite.

Throughout the week, you will find Jones at Eagle Farm at track work, working on her craft and putting in the hard yards.

Though most would quiver at the fact of 3am starts six mornings a week, the 22-year-old embraces it.

“I think when the alarm clock goes off at quarter past three, that's probably the only time it goes through your head, why am I doing this?” Jones said.

“I can never really say it's easy, you still have those days you sort of question that surely I could find a job with normal hours.

“But, pretty much once you're out of bed and you do the first couple (rides) you forget you're tired, so it’s all worth it in the end.”

Raised on a cattle farm in North Queensland, Jones always knew she wanted to be involved with horses, recalling that her love of the animal is what fuels her to dedication to the sport the most.

“I think it’s the horses - I wouldn’t be able to get of bed at 3am six mornings a week if I didn’t have that passion for them,” she said.

“I always knew from quite young that I wanted to do something with horses as I just lived and breathed them and wanted to spend every second with them, and as I grew older, I knew racing was it.”

And, she was spot on.

In her first season as an apprentice jockey, Jones was able to muster an impressive 56 wins under astute Darling Downs-based mentor Lindsay Hatch, striking at an impressive 25 per cent on the provincial circuit.

That explosive start was enough to set tongues wagging about the rising hoop, one of which was champion trainer Tony Gollan, who eventually snapped up the Charters Towers product.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime for Jones, who jumped at the chance to ride for Queensland’s biggest trainer in the city, a decision that has formed into a formidable partnership today.

In previous years, it was challenging for female riders to gain momentum in what has traditionally been a male-dominated profession, but for the ambitious Jones, buoyed by the support she received along the way, thankfully, that was never a factor.

“It’s so good now, compared to probably 20 or 30 years ago - I can't even think of a moment where I was treated unfairly or given every chance because I was a female,” Jones said.

“I'm just forever grateful for what some of those early female riders have done for us today.”

With an array of female jockeys making their mark this season in Queensland, the question begs whether there might be a special slice of history achieved this coming winter.

There has yet to be a female – who hails from the Sunshine State – win a Group 1 throughout the Queensland Racing Carnival, a mountain that Jones would love to conquer.

“It would just be a great honour,” Jones said.

“For myself to be the first (to ride a Group 1) yeah, I couldn’t even imagine anything better, really.”

The 22-year-old had her first taste of Group 1 racing in 2023 aboard the Tony Gollan-trained Tick Tock Queen in the Stradbroke Handicap.

The hoop was not only chuffed to ride in a Group 1 in her home state, but mixing it with Australia’s best jockeys in Queensland’s most prestigious thoroughbred race remains something Jones will never forget.

“I’m just so grateful for having that experience,” Jones said.

“I wasn’t under a lot of pressure with the horse being a bit of an outsider, so I was able to take people’s advice to just have fun and enjoy it, and I did that.”

Angela’s laidback approach to the feature may have even played a prominent factor in Tick Tock Queen’s top-half finish in the race, giving the young jockey plenty of sight coming into the turn.

“I remember she travelled really well for me into the corner, and I thought for a moment we could be a chance,” Jones said

“But, unfortunately as we got deeper into the straight, the others just gave a bit of a sharper kick than mine.

“I remember in that moment that I just wanted to beat Kyle (Wilson-Taylor) home, but he managed to get the better of me by a couple of lengths.

“But yeah, it was such a thrill to be involved in a race that holds such importance to Queensland.”

With a maiden Group 1 ride under her belt, the rising star is eager to get back riding on the big stage, this time hopefully with a live chance.

It’s easy to be fooled by Jones’ easy-going façade, but her desire for ultimate success in her craft is evident when mentioning those close to her who have tasted Group 1 glory.

Take her fiancé Wilson-Taylor for example.

When asked about Kyle's first Group 1 win aboard Palaisipan in the Tattersall’s Tiara, the jockey praised her partner's success but was quick to add a competitive edge to the conversation.

“I remember that day quite clearly when he won, I remember watching it on TV, and I couldn’t actually believe it was happening,” Jones said.

“Seeing him win now motivates me to tick that box off to keep up with him, and then I could probably rub it in his face a little bit.”

It’s yet to be seen whether Angela will claim Group 1 glory in 2024, but what we do know is that the North Queenslander is putting her best foot forward on all fronts.

In her short stint with respected trainer Gollan, Jones has formed some great affiliations with some handy gallopers that we could see pop up in the business end of the 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival.

The likes of Zarastro and Blue Spinel are just a couple of progressive types that spring to mind.

Although Jones didn’t appear to focus too heavily on the politics but rather a “one step at a time” approach - a mindset she adopted from her true role model in her mother.

“She's not involved in racing but just as a person I think I wouldn't be here without her,” Jones said.

“The way she's taught me to look at life, she's got this amazing ability to only see the good in everything and it helps.”

So, what’s next for Jones?

As for whether her maiden Group 1 could happen this year, Jones is not ruling anything out.

“Oh, I would love to think that. But I guess you can't really be too hopeful,” she said

“It's not an easy thing to do at all. Even if I could just get one in my career, I'd be happy.”

Queensland Racing Carnival eight-page Courier Mail wrap.