Galloway follows famous family into the saddle

By Jordan Gerrans

As far as young jockeys go, Gold Coast youngster William Galloway is bred in the purple.

The 18-year-old has been working through the ranks over the last few years and is finally set to make his maiden appearance at the races on Thursday afternoon at Gatton.

The talented hoop is the son of Group 1-winning rider Scott Galloway and the grandson of former Queensland hoop Peter Cuddihy.

Scott can recall young William pretending to ride in races from as young as two years of age, while he also notes that he rarely watched any other television channel than Sky Racing.

If anyone was born to be a jockey, it was William Galloway and he starts his journey officially on Thursday.

“He was on the couch with the whip and all the riding gear on, so he definitely had the bug for it when he was pretty small,” Scott recalls of his son about 16 years ago.

“It's been a good journey so far, watching him grow and then obviously getting into it more as he's got older.

“In the last few years, he has really taken that step from learning how to ride a horse, then progressing into riding trackwork and trials and now into race riding soon.

“He was watching me ride obviously all the time, so there was nothing else he was going to do.”

William is indentured to champion Queensland conditioner Tony Gollan and is based out of his Gold Coast satellite stable.

Born and bred on the Glitter Strip of the Sunshine State, the teenager knows the Aquis Park track like the back of his hand.

With Gollan mainly based at his Eagle Farm complex, William has been closely mentored by Gollan’s assistant trainer, Lindsay Hatch.

The apprentice jockey notes that Hatch has been key in his development since he joined the operation.

“He's been a real good asset to me. Not just even as just like a boss and mentor, but even just as like a father figure,” William said.

“Even on days where I'm a bit angry or I'm a bit upset with something, he always takes the time to come over and make sure I'm alright and check in.

“And, not just once or twice, like throughout the whole morning, he's always asking me.

“So, he's also really good to have there, as well. Not as just a riding coach, but as a father figure.

“And, obviously, Tony himself. I don't speak to him as much, but whenever I do get the chance to talk to him, he gives me really good feedback on all my rides and stuff like that.

“So, I am always really lucky to have them two in my corner.”

With grandfather Cuddihy and father Scott in his ear from a young age, William also models his riding style on top contemporary jockeys such as James McDonald and Ben Thompson.

Cuddihy won Group events during his career before stepping away from the races in November of 2006.

Ahead of his maiden rides, William has his riding weight listed at 49kg and remarks that he still has a little more growing to do.

Scott was a high-level competitor across Queensland before taking his last ride in a race in July of 2024. 

William’s mother Lisa is the daughter of former leading jockey Cuddihy.

Former hoop Scott admits that William’s impending debut is bringing back all the memories from when he started out all those decades ago.

“I see a lot of myself in him and we're very proud,” Scott said.

"He's got a very similar style and he's tall for his age.

“It's very satisfying to see that he's come this far and where he's going. We're very happy to see him progress and make it in the industry.

“I'm pretty happy with it. We're looking very forward for him to start riding and make a good career out of it and do well.

“I'm pretty confident that he'll do well. I'm sure he'll do well and make everyone very proud.”

Scott's decades of riding experience have become valuable for William's growth as the father-and-son team regularly pore over footage from his trials and jump-outs to improve his riding style.

“It is all going really well, I think, I am definitely improving with each time I am out there,” the youngster said.

“With my father obviously here, I get great feedback when I come home.

“We go through my rides and we really assess how I can improve on things or if I rode them good or anything like that.

“He's been riding for many, many years and he knows a lot.

“So, it's really good to come home after or if I ride trials or just trackwork, we just talk about how my morning went.

“Obviously, he knows a lot. So, he's really picky with my riding. But, it definitely just makes me want to ride better, listening to his feedback.

“And, obviously Lindsay Hatch coming to the Gold Coast stable. He's been another really good mentor for me with my riding, as well.

“So, it's really good to have him there for me, as well.”

Scott recalls one of his earliest memories of William on horseback being when he rode a pony at fellow Queensland jockey Tegan Harrison’s house, which eventually progressed to legging-up aboard retired racehorses.

Before William started his apprenticeship with Gollan, he also gained experience under the tutelage of the stable of Toby Edmonds as well as the training team of the Sears clan.

“He's got very good balance and good hands,” Scott said of his son.

“He's strong, he's light and he's a good listener. 

"He's got all the attributes to make a top jockey.

“As long as he keeps listening and listening to all the right people, he's going to go far in the game for sure.”

William will ride Tassorati and Speedy One for his master Gollan at Lockyer Valley Turf Club on Thursday while also partnering Drums Of War for trainer Gary Stephens.