Emerging apprentice jockey Bailey Webster has his sights firmly set on fulfilling an early-career dream when he is legged aboard Captain Rogers for trainer Jody McLaughlin in the $50,000 Roebourne Cup (2200m) this Saturday.
The young hoop grew up in Karratha and shares a deep connection with the iconic red-dirt track at Roebourne, which sits just a half-hour drive from his Pilbara hometown. And the chance to win a country cup in front of family and friends is an opportunity not lost on him.
“It would mean everything to me if I could get a winner in front of all of them,” Bailey told Racing WA.
“To be able to ride at Roebourne and in the Cup is probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. There’s a certain level of pressure on my back because it’s my hometown, but it’s good pressure. I find it fun.”
The first-year apprentice has been finding form on WA’s country circuit, recently riding a double at Roebourne on Jackemjames and Zadar Rock and claiming other victories at Broome and Port Hedland.
“After I rode the first winner (at Roebourne), I felt invincible and then I won again in the second and it was a really good day,” he said.
“It was a great moment for my confidence, being a young rider. You build from your own experiences and riding winners like that really brings you up.”
Cutting his teeth on the many and diverse country tracks WA has on offer, Bailey said the impact regional racing has on the community was enormous.
Regional racing combines for nearly half of the WA industry’s whopping $1.3 billion economic contribution annually to the State’s bottom line.
“These meetings are huge for the communities,” he said.
“Racing helps bring the towns to life. It’s great for small businesses and a huge thing to be a part of and I’m happy to be involved.”
Bailey painting a blue tree at Roebourne.
Bailey moved to Perth in 2020 when he started thinking more seriously about becoming a jockey. He is now indentured to leading trainer Adam Durrant and is learning his craft through the Racing WA Apprentice Jockey Training Program under the guidance of coaches John Claite and Peter Hall, who have won multiple Perth Cups between them.
“John Claite’s favourite saying is, ‘keep it simple’ – I like that a lot and try to always keep it in mind,” Bailey said.
“The apprentice program and everyone involved as well as Adam Durrant, have been a huge help in starting my racing career and actually getting me to race riding.”
Currently with a 3kg claim and starting to find some form with a string of recent winners, when asked about his ambitions for the future, Bailey’s answer was simple – keep consistent.
“I just want to keep riding consistently, keep the trainers happy and keep riding winners ... as long as I can keep the ball rolling and stay consistent, I’ll be happy,” he said.
“Obviously, everyone wants to be a city jockey and ride in the big races on Saturday, but for now, riding winners in front of all my mates and family is the best thing I could probably ask for.”
Josh Miller