Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Zac Lloyd is a rising star in the Sydney jockeys’ room. His talent and work ethic have endeared him to the powerhouse operation Godolphin, who signed him as an apprentice to Head Trainer James Cummings.
Currently, he occupies fifth position on the New South Wales Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership and recently broke his Group 1 duck on the Bjorn Baker-trained Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) in the Stradbroke H.
Despite his many successes, including riding four winners on Saturday at Randwick, featuring the Listed Winter S. on Godolphin’s Tamerlane (Golden Horn {GB}), Lloyd remains humble and focused on improving his craft.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Lloyd to discuss his career to date, future goals, and ambitions.
In the blood
Riding racehorses is in Lloyd’s blood. He is the son of global superstar Jeff Lloyd, who rode over 5500 winners and 87 Group 1 winners across several countries. Meanwhile, Lloyd’s brother Jaden is also a successful jockey and recently relocated from Queensland to New South Wales.
As Lloyd explains, it was always natural for him to follow in his dad and brother’s footsteps: “I’ve always wanted to be a jockey from the time I was a kid to now. It has always been what I wanted to do.”
Initially apprenticed to Gold Coast-based trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds, a father-and-son duo who recently split with Trent Edmonds moving to Victoria, Lloyd began his career early. “I started my apprenticeship with Toby and Trent Edmonds when I turned 15. I was allowed to ride at the Gold Coast Turf Club while I was still in school, and that’s where it started.”
Jeff Lloyd | Image courtesy of Sportpix
While serving a suspension in Queensland, Lloyd elected to take a working holiday and ride work for Warwick Farm-based Annabel Neasham in Sydney. There, he connected with legendary hoop Darren Beadman, who now serves as Godolphin’s Assistant Trainer.
“I got suspended in Queensland, so I headed down to Sydney to ride trackwork for Annabel Neasham, who I knew. I saw Darren Beadman, who I knew from Hong Kong, and he obviously works for Godolphin now. So, I just spoke to him and asked if he could watch my replays and if he thought I could maybe become an apprentice in Sydney. I got a call two weeks later from Godolphin saying I’d been approved and could start.
“It’s very rare to be an apprentice for Godolphin, and I think I’m the first or the first in a very long time. Obviously, it’s a bit different to a normal apprenticeship; I’m more apprenticed to the company rather than just a trainer. But it is amazing. It’s a really great job to have.”
“It’s very rare to be an apprentice for Godolphin, and I think I’m the first or the first in a very long time. Obviously, it’s a bit different to a normal apprenticeship; I’m more apprenticed to the company rather than just a trainer.” - Zac Lloyd
When Lloyd first told his dad, he didn’t pay much attention to the idea until Lloyd showed him the proof. “I came back and told Dad my idea. I could see he wasn’t too convinced. However, once I got the role, he was very excited because he knew the opportunities I could get.
“He was a bit nervous, and so was I. You don’t know how you’re going to go in Sydney; it’s probably the best jockey room in the world. But all’s well that ends well.”
Lloyd’s comment about the Sydney jockeys’ room is no understatement. Champion jockeys James McDonald, Kerrin McEvoy, Nash Rawiller, and Tommy Berry, among others, are regulars on a Saturday in Sydney.
Forging his own style
Last Saturday, Lloyd rode four winners: Clear Thinking (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, the Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes-trained Brave One (Exceedance), Shezanalister (Star Turn) from Bjorn Baker, and the aforementioned Tamerlane in the Listed Winter S.
These four victories took Lloyd’s tally to 58 1/2 winners in the Metropolitan Premiership and over $10 million in prize money.
With a father who won on tracks across the globe, Lloyd senior had a unique riding style, one that Lloyd has not attempted to replicate. “Our riding styles are as far opposite as can be,” Lloyd laughs. “Dad had a very unique riding style. I didn’t even try to copy his style. So, in that aspect, we’re very different.”
Zac Lloyd | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
However, Lloyd has listened to the advice his dad has shared over the years, moulding his work ethic and professionalism. “The best advice Dad gives me is just turning up to track work.
“Dad gives me a lot of great advice, and I talk to him every day. But the main thing is really to keep turning up, present yourself well, and people will give you opportunities. If you can, you’ll eventually make your way to the top, and even if you don’t get right to the top, you’ll get the job done.”
That Group 1-winning feeling
Lloyd admits it was a relief to get his maiden Group 1 victory on the board, and in no less than the $2 million Stradbroke H., the jewel in the Queensland carnival crown. As we all know, Group 1 wins aren’t easy to come by, whether you’re riding in them, training for them, or hoping to breed a Group 1 winner.
Many jockeys, trainers, owners, and breeders retire without ever tasting Group 1 glory. So, Lloyd is thrilled to call himself a Group 1-winning jockey, especially at such a young age.
Zac Lloyd on Stefi Magnetica | Image courtesy of Clarke Racing
“It was great to get the Group 1 off my back. I have had great opportunities in the past, but I just haven’t been able to convert. So, to show people I could get the job done in an elite-level race was fantastic and such a big relief for me.
“It has sunk in now that I’m a Group 1 winner, but I’m so excited for the opportunity to ride in another Group 1.”
When asked if there’s one race in Australia he wants to add to his CV, he pondered for a moment. “People have asked me this before, and I said, ‘Oh, anything will do.’
“It has sunk in now that I’m a Group 1 winner, but I’m so excited for the opportunity to ride in another Group 1.” - Zac Lloyd
“But now I have won a Group 1, I think I had a really good ride in the Cox Plate last year on Militarize, and I just feel I didn’t perform as well as I would have liked. So, that race has played on my mind since. I’d love to have another go at the Cox Plate and ride a better race.”
Spotlight, no problem
Godolphin’s Tamerlane has won 10 races from 35 starts; his toughness has endeared him to Lloyd, who has a close association with the son of Golden Horn (GB). He also rates Michael Freedman-trained Insurrection (Russian Revolution) as another horse he admires.
His Group 1 winner, Stefi Magnetica, will always have a special place on the mantelpiece.
“Tamerlane would be up there. He and I have done well together; he’s been a good horse to me. Insurrection is another one from Michael Freedman. I really like him; he tries hard. He’s only little but he’s quick and gets the job done.
“Stefi Magnetica is obviously up there now, as she won a Group 1 for me. I’ve ridden plenty of nice horses, but those three I’m really fond of.”
With only a couple of weeks left until the start of the new racing season, Lloyd is looking forward to not just riding in more Group 1s and hopefully winning but also riding more winners across the board and improving his standing in the New South Wales’ Jockeys’ Premiership.
“I probably just want to ride more metropolitan winners than I did this season, however many that may be. I felt I’ve done well this season but also feel that I could definitely improve and ride more consistently.
“I probably just want to ride more metropolitan winners than I did this season, however many that may be. I felt I’ve done well this season but also feel that I could definitely improve and ride more consistently.” - Zac Lloyd
“I went through a pretty cold patch in the middle of the season, so if I could negate that next season and just ride consistent winners, I’m sure I’ll be competitive up at the top of the ladder somewhere.”
Coming from a racing family and with his own deeds on the track putting him in the spotlight, it can be challenging for young apprentices, given the pressure, workload, and expectations from trainers, owners, and punters.
Lloyd has been no stranger to the stewards' room, with his will to win sometimes finding him on the wrong end of the stick. However, he has been taking steps to spend more time in the saddle than on the sidelines.
Zac Lloyd with Insurrection | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
But one must wonder how he approaches the attention. Lloyd is nonchalant and takes it in his stride: “I actually find it all pretty interesting, especially people’s opinions and stuff like that. My parents always say ‘Avoid it, don’t look at it,’ but honestly, I don’t mind looking and reading what people say.
“You see some people criticising you, and that may turn into motivation, and of course, some people praise you, which is good. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I don’t think it's going to change the way I ride, and it hasn’t affected me in any way.”
