Cormack's century beckons after northern resurgence

By Jordan Gerrans

As respected hoop Sean Cormack closes in on his maiden ton in Australia, the top jockey believes he is enjoying his riding more than ever since venturing to North Queensland.

The 55-year-old sits on 98 winners for the campaign after a prolific season through Townsville and Cairns, while still being competitive in the city.

That was highlighted by a winner aboard Tornado Express on Saturday at Caloundra during the last meeting of the Queensland Racing Carnival.

The experienced Cormack has won Group 1 races in South Africa and major Cup events in Singapore before relocating to Australia.

He is likely to raise the bat for his first century of winners in Australia before the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

“I believe that I'm riding well,” Cormack said.

“I believe that I've been riding well consistently. I don't think it's been just a change of attitude or mindset.

“I just, if anything, I've probably just been enjoying it more since I've been going up north.”

The South African-born Cormack was the stable jockey for the late Bruce McLachlan at the Sunshine Coast in 2008 before returning in 2017.

His previous high mark in Australia was 74 winners last term.

The bulk of his victories have come on the Central and North Queensland circuit at Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.

The four northern coastal tracks have long been frequented by fly-in, fly-out riders.

There has been a changing landscape in the FIFO jockey ranks in recent years with Les Tilley, Nathan Day, Justin P Stanley and Chris Whiteley no longer as prominent on the circuit.

It has opened the door for Cormack, as well as a few others, to pick up the slack.

“I think at the moment, I'm at the stage of my career where I'm just trying to enjoy racing,” he said.

“I still ride in town and wherever I can but, because I've obviously started travelling up north, you can't do it half-heartedly.

“You’ve got to commit, make that commitment and you do it. I've enjoyed it, I really have.

“Obviously, it's taken up a bit of time for me, so you cannot focus on metropolitan racing and things like that as much but, you have to make some sacrifices somewhere.”

Cormack will be prominent as the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival commences this week as he takes two rides at Rockhampton on Thursday before returning to Callaghan Park for their local Cup day on Saturday.

The veteran jockey is set to partner Aliquam for astute Caloundra mentor Liam Birchley in the Magic Millions Capricorn Guineas QTIS 3YO Handicap, which is one of the feature races on Saturday’s program.

The Sunshine Coast-based Cormack says 100 winners in a season in Queensland is an achievement that he will be able to savour.

“When you have these little things happen in your career, of course, all these milestones are special,” he said.

“All milestones in anyone's career is special and obviously this is just another one.

“So, I'm really happy that I can achieve something like this. I'm fortunate that I can still ride in town and still have some success.

"I can still be fortunate enough that I can still ride in town and have success when I am there, that's good enough for me." 

Cormack says one of the benefits of frequenting CQ and NQ is the ability to unearth potential rides in the city.

He followed the Kris Hansen-prepared Astra Star from Callaghan Park in Rockhampton to finish second in the Country Cup on Magic Millions day earlier this year at the Gold Coast. 

Cormack has also recently partnered talented Townsville galloper Mind Over Matter to five straight wins with the gelding showcasing plenty of promise.

The top rider has tasted feature success in the north of the Sunshine State since starting to ride more often in the area.

He won Townsville’s Winter Cup aboard Smart Legend before placing in the Townsville Cup with the stayer in 2025.

Cormack also landed the Daintree Guineas prize aboard Swatow at Cairns last year while Lady Damus claimed the Cairns Lightning under the riding of the veteran.