3 minute read

As apprentice hoop Chloe Lowe arrives at her first race rides, the 21-year-old can't help but feel a distinct sense of pride with how far she has come.

Lowe is in her second stint as an apprentice rider, starting out with Matt Dunn about three years ago before having another crack with Ryan Tyrell in more recent times.

The riding was never an issue for the Beaudesert youngster, it was just her weight she was struggling to contain to the level required to be an apprentice hoop.

Not long ago she was around 67kg.

Lowe will ride at 55kg on Saturday afternoon at Roma and she is hopeful of knocking that down slightly again once she gets into a consistent rhythm of race riding through 2024.

"The weight has always been the biggest thing, I have always felt confident in my riding," she said.

"My weight would constantly go up and down and I would think I wouldn't be able to eventually race ride – you get in your own head about it.

"It has been hard. I have really tried with my weight this time and it is surreal that I am here now and it is all happening."

There were many times where Lowe thought she would not eventually make it to race day as a jockey but she notes she has found a much more even balance now.

The young hoop has been dedicated to her gym and running efforts as well as her diet.

Growing up around horses and the industry, Lowe always wanted to pursue a career in the saddle.

"I was just worried about my weight in the early stages, that is what put me off being a jockey," she said.

"I was umming and ahhing about my weight early on and then after starting with Ryan, I tried to get my weight down again. And, the weight came off and I went for it again.

"I have lost heaps of weight by going to the gym and running every day after track work as well as eating well – following the main stuff really."

Lowe was destinated to be in racing from a young age with her family owning and running KBL Thoroughbreds at Beaudesert.

"That is what got me into race horses, leading the babies, yearling prep and getting them ready for the Magic Millions for the January and March sales," she said.

"We have had horses all our lives, ponies and barrel racing. Show jumping as well and all that stuff."

The rookie apprentice heads to Roma for their Picnic Race Club meeting this Saturday with two bookings for her master Tyrell.

Tyrell is in his eighth year of training and was a former track work rider for Sydney trainer Anthony Cummings for nine years before moving to Queensland.

Lowe says her boss has been a great help when it comes to her riding.

I Am Thor will contest the Class 3 Plate over 900 metres before Lowe waits around for the Open Handicap later in the day over 1200 metres with Rollinwiththeflow.

Rollinwiththeflow is an eight-time career winner and earlier this year started in Country Cup on Magic Millions day.

The chestnut gelding was not beaten far at his last start at Ipswich earlier this month and is likely to relish the chance to drop back to non-TAB grade.

Lowe is glad Rollinwiththeflow is one of her first few race rides as he has always been a special horse for the up-and-coming hoop.

"I ride them both every day and they will look after me, they are two good boys," she said.

"Rollinwiththeflow is my favourite horse in the barn, Ryan has been saving him for me and he will probably have one or two more starts before he retires.

"I am excited about riding him, I love everything about him – he is an old boy and cool to ride.

"Ryan thinks I Am Thor will be a good chance if he jumps well and Rollinwiththeflow is pretty honest and will do good as well."

Retired champion jockey Robbie Fradd has also worked closely with Lowe in recent months after Tyrell connected them.

The 58-year-old multiple Group 1-winning hoop has recently started a new role as a Casual Education Support Office with Racing Queensland.

Lowe will spend every Friday morning under the tutelage of Fradd and she says her skills and technique have come a long way under his guidance.

"He has been a massive help, I couldn't even use the whip three months ago," she said.

"I wanted to find someone who could teach me and in the last month I have really picked it up. I can use it in both hands now and I don't even need to think twice."