While globe-trotting champion hoop Jeff is retired from racing rider these days, he actually has increased the amount of track work he is riding.
Teenagers Jaden and Zac only have to look across the stable for guidance from one of the better jockeys to ever leg one up in Queensland, before heading home later in the day to run through their replays and watch highlights of the elite jockeys from around the world.
Jeff, who recently passed the 60 years of age milestone, believes his boys are far better placed to succeed as jockeys than he ever was.
“I honestly mean this from the bottom of my heart, and riding styles change over the years, but they are superior to what I was at their age,” Jeff said.
“They have created their own styles; I have had them on the mechanical horse and always instilled in them that they should ride how they are comfortable.
“Being tall like they are, they should watch the tall riders and see what makes them good and adapt – they should not watch me as I am smaller and stockier than them, they both have been watching the taller jockeys.
“They have their advantages but you still have to want to listen and I must say, they are always coming to me feedback and asking questions.”
Gold Coast trainer Brosnan, who is Jaden’s master and also employees Jeff as a track work rider, sees first-hand just how hard the Lloyd boys work in the morning.
“He has taken to metro race riding really well, he is getting his fair share of winners and I am sure it is going to continue,” Brosnan said of Jaden.
“He is working very hard with his father Jeff behind the scenes to hopefully secure the best rides and then make the most of his rides.”
Just like older brother Jaden, Zac is working his way through the country and provincial ranks – aiming to land in the big smoke soon enough.
Zac is completing his apprentiship with the Edmonds’ stable on the Gold Coast, who he has been with for the last 18 months, which is next door to that of Brosnan’s yard.
“Toby and Trent have a lot of horses, different horses so it is a good to practice on a different horses,” Zac said.
The boys grew up watching Jeff ride winners around the world and Zac was always was going to follow in his father’s footsteps while Jaden was keen on becoming a trainer – thinking he was going to be too tall and heavy to ride – but as his weight is manageable, he has pressed on with his riding.
Like Jaden, Zac hit a purple patch with his riding not long after the new season commenced - picking up a winning double on the Sunshine Coast – and the younger of the brothers says being on the provincial circuit more often gives him ample chances to learn from his mistakes as a budding hoop.
While riding winners is the aim of the game, Nicola Lloyd – mother of the two boys – has been most proud of the way Jeff has instilled honesty, commitment and hard work into the apprentices.
“Jeff gets a lot of calls from a lot of trainers and owners – even if the boys have not won for them – congratulating the boys because they speak so well and are respectful and polite,” Nicola said.
“For me as a mother, that is important.
“My grandmother came from a racing background and those types of things have always been important to us, manners and being well spoken.
“Jeff can sort out the racing side but I always wanted to make sure that the way they speak and their behaviour that is excellent as well - that is important to me.”
Jaden heads to Doomben this Saturday with another strong book of rides, with six engagments booked.