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Vale champion jockey Bill Skelton, who has passed away in his native New Zealand aged 85.
The New Zealand jockey won 2179 races across his career, including 124 in the 1967/68 season alone.
One of the most accomplished jockeys in the world, he won the New Zealand jockey’s premiership seven times and finished runner-up another 10 times.
He’s the first ever Kiwi jockey to crack 2000 wins but his main connection in Australia was in 1969 when he rode Daryl’s Joy to victory in the Cox Plate and Victoria Derby.
He rode across many countries including Australia, South Africa, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, experiencing varying degrees of success.
American hoop Bill Shoemaker was aboard the Kiwi colt in the Moonee Valley Stakes for more than a mile when he trailed the Victorian speedster by several lengths nearing the home straight.
Skelton was riding Wood Court Inn when Daryl’s Joy scooted past her and Skelton yelled out to Shoemaker to “make him do it”. Daryl’s Joy powered home to beat Vain.
Skelton blamed himself when Vain reversed the result in their next meeting as Syd Brown the trainer returned to New Zealand for a week and Skelton was too soft on Daryl’s Joy in training the following week and he was underdone at his next start.
Daryl’s Joy was a stayer and Skelton won the Cox Plate and Victoria Derby easily while Vain dominated the sprinters.
Skelton claimed the colt was ‘far and away’ the best horse he ever rode.
Unfortunately he was sent to the United States for further fame and glory.
Brown, Skelton and the champion colt have all been inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Farewell Bill Skelton, champion jockey and champion bloke.
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