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Racing families don’t come much stronger than the Grylls family. Three generations of jockeys (perhaps even more!) trail down to Bridget Grylls, a successful jockey in Waikato. Behind The Stable Doors met with Bridget to discuss her career.
There would probably be a limited amount of jockeys that can say that their grandfather, father, brother and themselves are successful jockeys, but that’s the tag Bridget carries. As a child, Bridget was surrounded by horses, rode ponies, and did show-jumping. Considering that it was in her blood, her mother’s side of the family is filled with the love of the horse and the smattering of jockeys that aided Bridget in her affinity for horses. While Bridget was still at school, she began riding trackwork before school, which later led to an apprenticeship with Lisa Latta for a year. After that, she moved north to be under the guidance of Ken Kelso before she trekked to Brisbane to ride out her claim in the final two years of her apprenticeship, where she ended up staying for four years. The difference in claim meant that Bridget was given more opportunity as a 1-kilo claim here; it is a 3-kilo claim in Brisbane. She later returned home to be with her friends and family and as a senior jockey. While in Brisbane, she was 2nd in the apprentice premiership and 5th in the metro premiership.
After recently being out with an injury, she spent much time with physios and
personal trainers to get her back riding in the best condition possible. As a jockey, your body takes a burden and can result in many injuries. One of the risks of riding is being on a 500-kilo animal with its mind at 40 kilometres an hour; unfortunately for Bridget, her career has been plagued by injury, and we haven’t seen the best of her yet. However, instead of being placid and accepting, it fuels her to keep ticking along and return as soon as possible to ride those winners and win some elite races. A typical day for Bridget can look like waking up at four in the morning and attending trackwork and gym with a personal trainer twice a week. Bridget also attends race day and trials up to four times a week. However, the benefit of living in matamata gives her a central location which can make the commutes a bit easier when going to the race day and trial meetings – Matatamata has its advantages for the locality. Bridget also enjoys the lifestyle the quiet town provides. The trainers she can ride for and make connections with - seeing the township is filled with several small trainers and large stables; gives her an extraordinary life that some towns and cities cannot offer.
Most people in the industry can relate to the pressure; as a jockey, it can range from owners to trainers and online. One of the trickiest things people can navigate is online trolls, but it comes full force for trainers and jockeys for things out of their control. While not much can be done to police it, Bridget said she tries to cop it on the chin. Through a couple of measures, she reminds herself that the people commenting either don’t understand or are not in the industry. Jockeys must make split decisions every moment during the race that can alter everything. The most important thing is that everyone and every horse is safe. They all want to go home.
For Bridget, the thing that brings the most joy is the family community and the celebrations that bring owners after they win. Growing up seeing whom her parents worked with, she now works with them and values their experience and care for others and the horses. The New Zealand industry is very personal; everyone knows everyone. It makes it unique when you have won. They all celebrate with you and the hardships people come around you and support you. There is no other industry like it.
A genuine person, Bridget is the first to say good morning, lend a hand, and always smile. Small things that make a huge difference. Bridget is constantly referred to as a stand-out person who is always there to help everyone, whether big or small. She is consistent in her approach to horses and her feedback and is willing to help everyone and chat away with a few tips and tricks. A breath of fresh air, Bridget always smiles and takes her friendly and warm nature wherever she goes.
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