Rawiller: recognition, records and rewards
July 2nd 2008 06:17
The Rawiller clan may not be as large in number as the Payne family, but the Rawiller’s have certainly added much colour and class to the Australian racing scene:
(photo: John Donegan)
This week Brad Rawiller became the first jockey to ride 200 winners in a season in Victoria when successful on Tictacs in a Class 1 race at Ararat on Monday, the 30th of June. The following day he was on his way to Moe races and taking a well deserved sleep in the float of Ross McDonald when news came through that the races would be abandoned due to the state of the track.
At the beginning of this racing season Brad Rawiller, buoyed with early success, decided to ride at as many meetings as possible in the attempt to break the record of 165 wins, set by Nick Ryan in the 2004/2005 season. June saw him have his best result for the season with 26 winners, and with the Australian record of 223 (set by Alan Robinson in 2005/2006) firmly in his sights, there will be no abating to his quest to break the national record.
The postponement of Moe a minor irritant. Usually Brad will clock up many hundreds of kilometres as he drives to and from racetracks near and far. Monday was the rarest of occasions when he took a lift and allowed himself a brief rest from his hectic and demanding schedule.
That he should be sharing a ride with McDonald is not altogether surprising, as this pair have shared an exciting twelve months together as trainer and jockey of the champion Weekend Hussler.
Weekend Hussler has supplied Brad Rawiller with eight wins in total (six in Victoria), his most amount of victories on a single horse. It was on the 19th of September last year when Brad Rawiller first rode Weekend Hussler in a race. It was the race that would announce the appearance of a new champion with Weekend Hussler being heavily supported and the easiest of 8 length winners (brilliant speedfigures) at Sandown (Hillside). Brad would then be associated with each of Weekend Hussler’s wins, only missing the ride on him in the Emirates Stakes when Danny Nikolic took the ride because of the handicap conditions at the light weight of 51.5kg. It was a rare defeat for Weekend Hussler, reaching the end of his first campaign and missing the knowledge and familiarity of his regular jockey.
It is interesting how these two different highlights have coincided: the record amount of riding wins, and the opportunity to ride a racing superstar. If offered one - but not both - I don’t think Brad would have much hesitation in being involved with Weekend Hussler and foregoing the (Guinness-type) Record Book. The name of Brad Rawiller in history as rider of Weekend Hussler in victories in The Caulfield Guineas; Ascot Vale Stakes; Oakleigh Plate; Newmarket Handicap; Randwick Guineas and George Ryder are more significant than his (Australian wide) total of 195 (if not counting wins on Weekend Hussler). Eight wins, or 195 wins? Numbers or worth? An easy choice, not a Sophie’s Choice at all. Take the champion horse any day
In fact his percentage for wins on Weekend Hussler (prizemoney earned with Rawiller as jockey) of $2.35 million would be enough to satisfy most jockeys in any racing season.
Rawiller's feat has been even more meritorious considering he has lost around seven weeks due to suspension for careless riding (trying too hard no doubt) and another 10 days as a result of a fall and a broken rib.
In 2006 Brad was close to retiring from riding. He was exhausted and battling to keep his weight in check. His persistence has been rewarded with records and the much envied ride on Australia’s top rated horse.
It was brother Nash that gained (first and) most notice with his Caulfield Cup win aboard Elvstroem and numerous other Group wins on horses as high profile as Haradasun. Nash now rides for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney after accepting her offer to become a stable ride. At this time he is locked in a premiership battle with good friend and fellow stable rider for Gai Waterhouse, Blake Shinn.
Weight has been something to restrict both (still riding) Rawiller brothers. Both are tall (for jockeys) and are classified as ‘heavyweight’ riders. Their natural weight would be at least 10 kilos more than that which discipline and strict diet now allow them to pursue careers in riding.
Younger brother Todd had a few years as a jockey, but succumbed to the ravages of weight and wasting and is now forging out a career as a trainer. He has a small team, with Chiack as his present star performer.
(photo: Daryl Pinder)
Their (little) sister Stacey is still serving her apprenticeship with brother Todd. She completed year 11 in 2005 and rode her first winner in 2006. She too has to watch her weight - but she does have exceptional role models to offer advice and give encouragement.
Their father Keith has the distinction of winning races both on the flat and over jumps in metropolitan Melbourne, as well as driving trotters and pacers to victory.
Their mother Elaine is a nurse. Not a bad occupation for a mother to pursue with a family of jockeys to tend.
postscript:
At Sandown today Brad Rawiller edged closer to the Australian record with a win aboard Blue Oscar.
Brad & Nash Rawiller
(photo: John Donegan)
This week Brad Rawiller became the first jockey to ride 200 winners in a season in Victoria when successful on Tictacs in a Class 1 race at Ararat on Monday, the 30th of June. The following day he was on his way to Moe races and taking a well deserved sleep in the float of Ross McDonald when news came through that the races would be abandoned due to the state of the track.
At the beginning of this racing season Brad Rawiller, buoyed with early success, decided to ride at as many meetings as possible in the attempt to break the record of 165 wins, set by Nick Ryan in the 2004/2005 season. June saw him have his best result for the season with 26 winners, and with the Australian record of 223 (set by Alan Robinson in 2005/2006) firmly in his sights, there will be no abating to his quest to break the national record.
The postponement of Moe a minor irritant. Usually Brad will clock up many hundreds of kilometres as he drives to and from racetracks near and far. Monday was the rarest of occasions when he took a lift and allowed himself a brief rest from his hectic and demanding schedule.
That he should be sharing a ride with McDonald is not altogether surprising, as this pair have shared an exciting twelve months together as trainer and jockey of the champion Weekend Hussler.
Weekend Hussler has supplied Brad Rawiller with eight wins in total (six in Victoria), his most amount of victories on a single horse. It was on the 19th of September last year when Brad Rawiller first rode Weekend Hussler in a race. It was the race that would announce the appearance of a new champion with Weekend Hussler being heavily supported and the easiest of 8 length winners (brilliant speedfigures) at Sandown (Hillside). Brad would then be associated with each of Weekend Hussler’s wins, only missing the ride on him in the Emirates Stakes when Danny Nikolic took the ride because of the handicap conditions at the light weight of 51.5kg. It was a rare defeat for Weekend Hussler, reaching the end of his first campaign and missing the knowledge and familiarity of his regular jockey.
It is interesting how these two different highlights have coincided: the record amount of riding wins, and the opportunity to ride a racing superstar. If offered one - but not both - I don’t think Brad would have much hesitation in being involved with Weekend Hussler and foregoing the (Guinness-type) Record Book. The name of Brad Rawiller in history as rider of Weekend Hussler in victories in The Caulfield Guineas; Ascot Vale Stakes; Oakleigh Plate; Newmarket Handicap; Randwick Guineas and George Ryder are more significant than his (Australian wide) total of 195 (if not counting wins on Weekend Hussler). Eight wins, or 195 wins? Numbers or worth? An easy choice, not a Sophie’s Choice at all. Take the champion horse any day
In fact his percentage for wins on Weekend Hussler (prizemoney earned with Rawiller as jockey) of $2.35 million would be enough to satisfy most jockeys in any racing season.
Rawiller's feat has been even more meritorious considering he has lost around seven weeks due to suspension for careless riding (trying too hard no doubt) and another 10 days as a result of a fall and a broken rib.
In 2006 Brad was close to retiring from riding. He was exhausted and battling to keep his weight in check. His persistence has been rewarded with records and the much envied ride on Australia’s top rated horse.
It was brother Nash that gained (first and) most notice with his Caulfield Cup win aboard Elvstroem and numerous other Group wins on horses as high profile as Haradasun. Nash now rides for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney after accepting her offer to become a stable ride. At this time he is locked in a premiership battle with good friend and fellow stable rider for Gai Waterhouse, Blake Shinn.
Weight has been something to restrict both (still riding) Rawiller brothers. Both are tall (for jockeys) and are classified as ‘heavyweight’ riders. Their natural weight would be at least 10 kilos more than that which discipline and strict diet now allow them to pursue careers in riding.
Younger brother Todd had a few years as a jockey, but succumbed to the ravages of weight and wasting and is now forging out a career as a trainer. He has a small team, with Chiack as his present star performer.
Keith, Stacey & Todd Rawiller
(photo: Daryl Pinder)
Their (little) sister Stacey is still serving her apprenticeship with brother Todd. She completed year 11 in 2005 and rode her first winner in 2006. She too has to watch her weight - but she does have exceptional role models to offer advice and give encouragement.
Their father Keith has the distinction of winning races both on the flat and over jumps in metropolitan Melbourne, as well as driving trotters and pacers to victory.
Their mother Elaine is a nurse. Not a bad occupation for a mother to pursue with a family of jockeys to tend.
postscript:
At Sandown today Brad Rawiller edged closer to the Australian record with a win aboard Blue Oscar.
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