One could say that last year’s champion apprentice jockey Jerlyn Seow is now home and hosed for her back-to-back champion apprentice jockey’s title in 2024 with only four meetings remaining in Kranji’s last season.
After making history last year to become the first female jockey to win the title, Seow has now bettered her score tally of 14 wins previously with 16 wins thus far in this season. In fact, the Singaporean jockey extended her lead to 11 wins over second-placed and disqualified apprentice jockey Jamil Sarwi after her double on Lucky Hero and Big Return on 25 August.
With third-placed fellow apprentice jockey Faiz Khair also on a 13-win gap behind Seow, the cheerful lass could probably take it easier, but she would rather not. The hardworking Seow cannot wait to add to her win tally with another seven rides on Saturday.
“It’s been the best year,” said Seow.
“Last season, I had to ride four winners (Fortune Wheel, Surrey Hills, Silo and Roda Robot) on my last day of riding (9 December) to win the title (by two wins over Jamil), so I’m more relaxed this year.
“I’m thankful to all the trainers who gave me rides but my boss (trainer Jason Ong) is my biggest supporter and I wouldn’t have won last year or this year without him.
“I have four rides for my boss on Saturday and I think Lucky Hero (x Shooting To Win) is my best chance in the opener ($30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race over 1200m).
“He (Lucky Hero) has some more weight (2.5kgs) to carry than when I won on him last start (in a Class 5 Division 1 race over 1000m on 25 August) but he ran on well so I think 1200m is not a problem.
“Lim’s Teton (x Trapeze Artist) in the second race ($20,000 Open Maiden race over 1100m) also looks to be a solid chance for me.
“It’s my first ride on him but he placed (third) last start (in a Maiden race over 1400m on 7 September) and looks well-placed with my (two-kilo) claim (56kgs).
“He is honest without winning, so maybe he gets his chance in this small field (of seven).
“I’m also on Star Express (x Sebring) for the first time for (trainer) James Peters (in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m).
“He looks very versatile with wins over 1200m and 2000m (twice) and while those three wins were in Class 5 races, he has gate one and no weight (50kgs), so he could go well.”
Of her career thus far and life after Kranji, Seow thought work ethic and determination has her where she is today and will hold her in good stead in wherever the future holds.
“I started from scratch, so just turning up every day was important for me,” said Seow, who rode her first winner Axel for ex-Kranji trainer Mark Walker in April 2021.
“You must have the passion to keep working hard when things don’t go your way with rides or winners.
“It was hard earlier this year a few good jockeys came over after racing stopped in Macau, but I just kept on working hard to be fit enough to keep up with the guys.
“But while hard work is very important, you need to have support too.
“Next year, I will probably ride in Kuala Lumpur, so it all starts again. I’m already riding there (Selangor Turf Club) and holds a licence until the end of this year.
“I would love to ride in a place like Hong Kong with another female apprentice jockey (Britney Wong). I don’t think the (visa) rules allow for that at the moment but I will keep trying.”
As the days count down to the final meeting at Kranji on 5 October, Seow was happy to reflect on her achievements while still hoping for a ride in the Group 1 Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m).
“No phone calls yet but I would love a ride in the last (Singapore) Gold Cup,” said Seow, who has yet to race in the iconic handicap feature race.
“With Lim’s Kosciuszko in the field, a lot of horses will be on the minimum (weight of 50kgs) so who knows? I may get a late call-up.
“It will be an emotional day as Kranji has been my life for the last nine years. I’m sad for all in the industry but I’d be proud to be part of the history.
“I was the first female (jockey) to win the apprentice title and will be the last winner too. It’s also good that my boss will win the last (Singapore champion) trainer’s title too as I can’t be more thankful to him.”
Fittingly, the last words were from Ong, who backs up what most knew of Seow’s secret to success.
“Jerlyn hasn’t missed a day of work since joining me,” said Ong, who won his first Singapore champion trainer title last year and now has an unassailable lead of 31 wins over fellow trainer Daniel Meagher (43 wins).
“It’s her terrific work ethics. It’s not easy for her to ride on a Saturday in Singapore, travel to ride in Malaysia on Sunday and come back to ride trackwork for me on Monday mornings. And she goes to the gym every day!
“It’s a shame Singapore (Turf Club) is closing, but I’m sure she will achieve much more in her career as a jockey wherever she goes.”
By Larry Foley
