England’s famed Ascot Racecourse might seem a world away from Port Hedland’s unique red dirt and grass track, but for thoroughbred dual licence-holder Colin Haddon, he is right where he wants to be.
Following a career in the saddle that has spanned more than 20 years and taken him all around the globe, the English expat has fully embraced the opportunity to transition into a dual licence-holder as both a thoroughbred jockey and trainer.
“Racing is pretty much all I know,” Colin told Racing WA.
“I’ve absolutely loved transitioning to training also and when the time comes to hang the stirrups up, I know it will be the start of a new chapter for me.”
With excitement building for the Port Hedland Turf Club’s opening meeting of its new season this Saturday, Colin has a runner in five of the six races on the program and will ride four of them himself. His father in-law, veteran trainer Tom Pike, has gone one better, with a starter from his stable in every race.
The pair are based at Tom’s property in West Coolup in WA’s Peel region and before Colin started preparing his own team of gallopers, they formed a formidable partnership as one of the State’s leading country trainer and jockey combinations - and they still love to race at Port Hedland.
Leading country trainer and renowned horseman Tom Pike.
“Hedland is a great place; the horses thrive up here because you can work them up through the sand dunes and along the beach, as well as swim them in the ocean,” Colin said.
“The course is brilliant. I’ve had a lot of fun riding up here for the last 15 years on such a unique track, with the straight changing from dirt to grass at the 450m mark.”
The Port Hedland Turf Club is one of four thoroughbred race clubs in the Pilbara, a region where racing helps generate $17.8 million annually to the State’s economy.
The club hosts five meetings each year, culminating in the $60,000 Port Hedland Cup (2200m), which draws capacity crowds’ year-on-year to the renowned mining town.
The race club provides a vital social outlet for people in the regional community to enjoy a special day out, Colin said.
“Port Hedland races have an amazing atmosphere; everyone who comes has a great time and its usually at capacity for all the feature days,” he said.
Colin is aiming to emulate his 2018 feat at the Pilbara track when he claimed victory in the Cup on Someday One Day, which was trained by his father-in-law. But he concedes the main goal is for his stable to consistently compete throughout the season.
“I want my horses to race well and hold their form,” he said.
“For me it’s just about keeping them as happy as I can and hopefully, they’re able to perform throughout the season.”
Saturday’s card kicks off at 1:47pm, with Colin aboard one of his stable standouts, Jackmejames, in race five – the day’s feature event, the Kennards Hire Port Hedland Handicap (1200m).
Josh Miller