Jockeys large and small
April 22nd 2008 07:08
Jockeys (large and small)
Recently Peter McGauran announced that he is leaving politics to head the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. Much has been reported about this rather large man once being a jockey. Well, although he was an amateur jockey riding with a higher weight scale, it does give us a chance to examine the stereotypical image of the jockey. It is true that there needs to be hardly an ounce of fat on their frame, but their heights do vary greatly. At the extreme end of the scale we have Kyle Nowland at 183 centimetres (over six feet tall) who has ridden winners in the metropolitan area including at Flemington. And of course the talented and ubiquitous Steven Arnold at 178 centimetres often dismounts and looks down at the owners who are hanging on his every word. Steven has carved out a career while most others of his size do fall by the wayside. But if the bones are thin then it is possible (with lettuce leaf cuisine) to be a tall jockey. And no doubt that Steven is one of the best jockeys in Australia.
There are examples of tall women who by advantage of naturally lighter frame can continue to ride and compete. Louise Moeller at six foot and one inch is an American jockey and the tallest that I know. At the other end of the scale there are the stereotypical (and tiny) frames of Chris Munce (still currently serving a gaol term after being convicted in Hong Kong on a tips-for-bets scam) and Jim Cassidy. I still remember (as a very young boy) watching Peter Bakos ride. He had the bulk of a full grown man, but was barely above the height of a dwarf. Or so I remember.
Recently Peter McGauran announced that he is leaving politics to head the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. Much has been reported about this rather large man once being a jockey. Well, although he was an amateur jockey riding with a higher weight scale, it does give us a chance to examine the stereotypical image of the jockey. It is true that there needs to be hardly an ounce of fat on their frame, but their heights do vary greatly. At the extreme end of the scale we have Kyle Nowland at 183 centimetres (over six feet tall) who has ridden winners in the metropolitan area including at Flemington. And of course the talented and ubiquitous Steven Arnold at 178 centimetres often dismounts and looks down at the owners who are hanging on his every word. Steven has carved out a career while most others of his size do fall by the wayside. But if the bones are thin then it is possible (with lettuce leaf cuisine) to be a tall jockey. And no doubt that Steven is one of the best jockeys in Australia.
There are examples of tall women who by advantage of naturally lighter frame can continue to ride and compete. Louise Moeller at six foot and one inch is an American jockey and the tallest that I know. At the other end of the scale there are the stereotypical (and tiny) frames of Chris Munce (still currently serving a gaol term after being convicted in Hong Kong on a tips-for-bets scam) and Jim Cassidy. I still remember (as a very young boy) watching Peter Bakos ride. He had the bulk of a full grown man, but was barely above the height of a dwarf. Or so I remember.
Andrew Denton (left) interviews jockeys
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