The career of talented young rider Jett Stanley reached another significant checkpoint at Flemington on Saturday with the 22-year-old partnering Concord Connie to his 200th career win.
Stanley finished the day on 201 when the Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained Losesomewinmore won the eighth race on the card.
“It’s a big achievement and hopefully I can succeed some more winners along the way and keep it up,” Stanley said.
Stanley has enjoyed plenty of highs and endured setbacks since his third race ride which delivered his debut win aboard Trevello, including several serious injuries along the way.
“There have been a lot of setbacks and it has taken a little bit longer than I would have liked (to get to 200 wins),” he said.
“It is still a good achievement to get under my belt – the blood sweat and tears are making waves for me.”
The moment and the occasion of the double century of wins has given the hoop a moment to enjoy the successes.
“I do reflect and think back and think how far I have come, my riding ability has been able to keep on improving,” he said.
“It is always good to have those little milestones to look back on.
“You put more of your focus into the future.”
The ability to remain cool and composed through the frantic bustle of race riding has kept Stanley at the top of his game for over 2400 starts.
“You have to adapt and handle anything out there in a race,” Stanley said. “The gates could open and you miss the start.
“I don’t panic very often, if ever. I just take it as it comes. I am able to rely on my ability and myself and put that to practise.”
Group 2 success found Stanley through his partnership with American Wolf in the 3200m Adelaide Cup. The hoop has tasted success all over Australia and is setting his sights on international targets.
“The Adelaide Cup is up there (In achievements),” Stanley said. “My winner in Ascot in Western Australia and my first stakes race in Rosehill in Sydney.
“To be able to reflect on all the places, I have been to and all the things I have been able to do in my career and hopefully we get a chance to see a lot more places and ride at a lot more tracks.
“Everyone wants to ride in Hong Kong and Japan, I also want to do England, France and Germany. I just want to ride and be able to experience the world of racing.
“Hopefully we can see it all.”
The 22-year-old has had the backing and support of some of the biggest names in racing.
“Gai Waterhouse has been a big help and support throughout my career as well as Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Peter Snowden and Annabel and Rob Archibald – everyone along the way has been a big help,” he said.
Stanley hasn’t had to look far for support throughout his career with dad Brett winning the 1996 Caulfield Cup with Arctic Scent.
“He (dad) is always in the background helping me out,” Jett Stanley said.
“He is my harshest critic and my biggest fan. We are best mates and it is good to have him in my corner my whole career – he was a great rider in his own right and him helping me is a big help.
The memories of the ‘96 Caulfield Cup are still a centrepiece of the Stanley household.
“I think I’ve watched that replay too many times,” he laughed.
Growing up Stanley’s career could have gone down a very different road, but his love of animals remained.
“I always wanted to be a marine biologist or a vet, my mum was trying to push me towards that because its less dangerous,” he said.
“Once I got to the age of riding horses at pony club – there was no turning back.”
Away from the track the 22-year-old has found himself seeking the finer things in life with those closest to him.
“I love going and finding new restaurants and trying new foods and that’s something I like doing,” he said. “I love my food.
“I like hanging out with my mates and switching off and spending time with them- they are always good support.”
Despite only being in the early stages of his career, Stanley already has a clear vision for where he wants the next decade to take him.
“Hopefully I’m a leading rider wherever I am, riding Group 1 winners where ever I am and I am at the top of my game,” he said.
