Jay Ford is proof that 40 is the new 30 when it comes to jockeys.
How else do you explain Ford and the consistent form he has been in in the past 18 months, and which could see him break a group 1 drought at Randwick on Saturday.
Jay Ford wins the Dulcify Stakes aboard Swiftfalcon.Credit: Getty Images
Ford steers Swiftfalcon in the Spring Champion Stakes, the three-year-old feature he won in 2005 with Hotel Grand and again in 2009 with Monaco Consul.
The laid-back Ford has never chased hard for the plum rides at the top stables but backs himself to get the most out of his mounts each week.
He made the conscious decision about five or six years ago to ride less in the bush for the sake of spending more time with his wife, Verity, and their daughter, Michaela, who is now nine.
It was not uncommon for Ford to drive more than 50,000km a year to tracks as far north as Port Macquarie, Wagga in the south, and Mudgee in the west.
The less-is-more approach is working for Ford, who believes that, as he approaches 41, he has never ridden better.
“I never really set goals; I know a group 1 win would be nice on Saturday – my last one was the Sydney Cup on Shraaoh in 2019 – but as long as I’m getting an earn and riding winners, everything else takes care of itself,” Ford said.
“The last six months have been really good for me. I’ve capitalised on a few opportunities, and I had a really good winter where I churned through some winners.
“The older you get, the wiser you get. I’m at an age where I’m probably at my best, and I feel like I’m riding well.
“The only thing is when you fall off, it’s harder to get up. You bounce to your feet when you’re 25. When you’re 40, you’re sore for days.
Jay Ford and Just Party (inside) almost pinch victory from Anode and Tim Clark (red).Credit: Getty Images
“I just feel like I know how to execute things a little better.
“And I’m really enjoying my riding at the moment. It helps when you ride winners, but I’ve found that work-life balance. I don’t ride as much in the bush, and you no longer feel bad if you say ‘no’ to a ride if it means you get to hang out with your family.”
Ford started out with fellow jockeys Ronnie Stewart, Mitchell Bell, Ryan Wiggins and George Scimone but is the only one still riding on a regular basis in Sydney, which is easily the toughest riding circuit in the country. Ithas now been 20 years since a baby-faced Ford and $1375 gelding Takeover Target amassed $6m in prizemoney, including success at Royal Ascot, with former taxi driver Joe Janiak as trainer.
More recently, The Black Cloud, In Flight and Whinchat are horses that won their share of races with Ford, while Swiftfalcon and Just Party are more than capable of getting the job done this weekend.
Swiftfalcon rattled home behind El Castello in the Gloaming Stakes but will need luck after drawing poorly again.
“He’s a really nice horse. The Hawkes team have taken their time with him, and that’s shown this prep,” Ford said.
“He steps up to 2000m, and the way he’s closed off his races, I’m confident he’ll run the trip.
“He drew awkwardly last start, we had to ride him too far back, and the winner was off and gone. He’ll run well on the weekend.”
Just Party, for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, runs in the $1m Callander-Presnell (1600m). He thundered home along the rails to fall just short of Anode last start. Two starts back, Just Party struggled to get a clear crack at them halfway up the straight.
“The other day he had the blinkers on for the first time, we got well back, we hugged the rail and got home with intent,” Ford said.
“Gerald and Sterling wanted me to get to the outside because he had got strung up in traffic a couple of times, but we cut the corner and he rattled home.
“I think he’ll enjoy getting to Randwick and the bigger, spacious track, and he only has to run up to what he did the other day to be in the finish.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
