Embarking on the journey to become an apprentice jockey can seem intimidating for some but with the right support and guidance young riders can flourish.
Natika Riordan is excited to make her race riding debut at Kalgoorlie on Good Friday, booked to partner Beausmebubba in the opening race of the meeting.
It’s a long process but getting the news you’re riding in your first race is a milestone that every apprentice looks forward to. It’s the culmination of a sought-after dream.
Riordan has been working towards this day for the past 15-months, but linking up with one of Western Australia's best trainers has played a key role in getting her there.
The 21-year-old reserves special praise for her boss and mentor, Neville Parnham and says he’s been the biggest influence on her career to date.
Parnham’s stature in WA racing is secure, he’s a Hall of Famer and his reputation in nurturing and developing the next generation of riders is unrivalled.
Riordan said the support system, structure and grounding from Parnham is sure to be invaluable experience in the cut and thrust of racing.
She feels fortune to be in the position that she’s in.
“I think I asked Neville about three years ago if I could be his apprentice,” Riordan told Racing WA.
“He was the only one I wanted to sign up for, he was the one.
“Obviously he’s been so successful with the apprentices, and I sort of thought he would be able to give me the most opportunities out of any trainer.
“He’s so helpful and supportive.”
Outside of the stable environment, Riordan will have no shortage of support in her first official day at the races.
Leading the fan base and cheering her on will be her mum and dad, grandparents, fiancée and brother.
After initial trepidation, Riordan’s parents are now right behind her move to become a jockey, fully backing that career choice, but it wasn’t a popular decision at first.
Like most girls from a young age, Riordan was obsessed with horses and always harboured a desire to work with equine animals in some professional capacity.
Riordan considered being a veterinarian but triggered by a family link to thoroughbreds and the exhilaration she draws from riding horses, she pivoted and chased a racing career.
Riordan’s parents were hoping she’d put those ambitions to one side, but what they encountered was stubborn but commendable determination from their daughter.
“My aunt is Donna Riordan; a trainer and she got me initially involved with horses," Riordan said.
“I think I was about 10 when I started begging mum and dad to take me to the local riding school to get lessons.
“They were like, no, no, it’s so expensive and why don’t I try and do something else.
“Then they said you know what, you can go wake up at 3am with Donna and see if you like horses then.
“They were thinking it might knock some sense into me, but unfortunately for them it didn’t, it did the opposite.
“Every Friday night they would drop me off at Donna’s and I would wake up early and help saddle up the horses.
“I think my parents had given up by that point.”
Riordan loves horses, but from the moment she rode fast work on a galloper, the idea that she could become a jockey has captivated her.
“I bought my first horse when I was 14 and I’ve always had one since,” Riordan said.
“It was never what am I going to do, it was always what area of horses was I going into.
“I actually thought I was too heavy to be a jockey, and it wasn’t in my thinking.
“But after riding fast work I knew that was what I wanted to do, it was just a great feeling.
“I caught the bug, I was hooked.”
After Kalgoorlie, Riordan has rides at Albany and York across the easter weekend.
At York on Monday, it turns full circle, with Riordan teaming up with Work Home Front.
The All American mare has been around the mark with consecutive placings at Narrogin.
If Riordan hasn’t booted home a winner before then, she’d love to do it on the five-year-old.
“I’m riding one for Aunty Donna on Monday,” Riordan said.
“I’m really excited to ride her too.
“It would be pretty cool if I could get one of my first winners on one of Aunty Donna’s horses.”
Riordan says she’s counting down the days to her debut.
“I’m very excited, over the moon,” Riordan said.
“I don’t think I will be able to sleep on Thursday night.”
Julio Santarelli