Holly Nottle Makes History as Fastest WA Jockey to 100 Wins
Holly Nottle has shattered records in Western Australia's horse racing scene, becoming the quickest-ever jockey in the state to amass 100 career wins. This remarkable achievement was secured on Sunday afternoon when she guided the Angela Johnston-trained Rommel's Jeuney to a narrow victory over Sky River at York, marking her 100th success after just 10 months of professional race riding.
Despite the race being a modest 52+ rated handicap event, Nottle's milestone created significant buzz, as she eclipsed the previous record held by Lucy Fiore, who took 335 days to reach the same mark. Fellow esteemed jockey Chris Parnham achieved it in 353 days, placing Nottle in elite company among WA's racing greats.
Unprecedented Rise in Apprentice Ranks
Nottle's rapid ascent has drawn unprecedented attention to WA's apprentice jockey ranks, with her consistent performance in metropolitan races fueling her success. Reflecting on the milestone, she expressed excitement and amazement, stating, "I was super excited and amazed that I'd made it; it was a great feeling." She added that she didn't want to overthink the pressure but acknowledged the significance of breaking a record she wasn't initially aware of.
At just 21 years old, Nottle is striking at an impressive 16 percent win rate and has notched 84.5 victories this season, placing her second on the WA jockeys' table behind the revered William Pike, who has 129.5 wins. Even more notably, she ranks sixth on the metropolitan table, trailing only top names like Pike, Clint Johnston-Porter, Lucy Fiore, and Brad and Chris Parnham.
Background and Training Excellence
Nottle's journey is rooted in strong connections to the famous Kersley clan, being indentured to Greg Kersley and scoring her first win on June 19 aboard Leetron for champion trainer Fred Kersley Sr. Without a prior racing background, she is a product of Racing WA's Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP), under the guidance of coaches and former Perth Cup-winning jockeys Peter Hall and John Claite.
Greg Kersley praised Nottle as a fast-learner and emerging talent, noting, "She's a freak. Horses run for her, they settle for her and they bounce out the barriers for her; you don't often get all three factors." He highlighted her determination to improve, even after well-ridden races.
John Claite, her coach, remarked on her steady progress, saying, "From day one, Holly has shown good potential, without getting too carried away. She is a pleasure to teach and has just improved week to week." He expressed pleasure at her quick achievement of 100 wins.
Future Ambitions and Continued Growth
Nottle remains focused on continuous improvement, emphasizing her goal to "keep my head down and improve with every ride." She aims to stay in form, ride more winners, and build connections within the racing community. Her rapid rise has amazed even herself, as she reflected, "I've amazed myself on how far I've come in the short amount of time."
This record-breaking feat not only highlights Nottle's talent but also underscores the effectiveness of WA's apprentice training programs in nurturing top-tier jockeys. As she continues to ride with determination, the racing world watches eagerly to see what heights she will reach next.
