Written by Richard Edmunds
A mix of talent, hard work and determination was rewarded when apprentice Thomas Stockdale posted his first black-type success aboard Tyche Goddess (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G3 Auraria S.
The 21-year-old has now ridden 137 winners and his tally would have been a lot higher but for two incidents that saw him out of the saddle for a combined period of more than a year and a-half.
In 2018, he suffered a broken leg in a barrier incident at Stony Creek that required several operations due to complications and not long after his return to action disaster struck again at Sale.
“I started race riding in 2017, but my apprenticeship has been plagued with injuries and I’ve had to have a lot of time off,” Stockdale said.
“The broken leg put me out for 13 months and then I was only back for six months and I was caught up in a bad fall at Sale that involved six horses. I was out for another six months after that with a very bad concussion and a broken foot.”
“The broken leg put me out for 13 months and then I was only back for six months and I was caught up in a bad fall at Sale that involved six horses.” – Thomas Stockdale
Stockdale was delighted and relieved after guiding the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Tyche Goddess to victory and able to repay the loyalty of the Cranbourne trainers.
“I knew we were in with a chance, especially from barrier one and got a nice run throughout and it was just a matter of getting a little bit of luck,” Stockdale said.
“It was certainly a great thrill and rapt to get the monkey off my back. Before I even started race riding I was riding work for Trent and Natalie and they helped me out a lot. They have given me plenty of support.”
Thomas Stockdale
Lindsay Park stint
Stockdale returned to Victoria at the end of last year after a three-month loan spell with Chris Waller and is currently enjoying a similar stint with Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig at Lindsay Park.
“Since I got back from Sydney I’ve been forming relationships and I’ve had to work very hard and I was very fortunate to gain the ride on Tyche Goddess,” he said.
Tyche Goddess and Thomas Stockdale
He has an unbeaten association with the filly, having guided her to a debut victory at Bendigo last season and made the most of his opportunity at Morphettville.
“Thomas gave her a great ride and it was nice for him to get his first stakes win aboard one of ours. We like to think that we have helped to shape his career and he’s a very good jockey and gives great feedback,” Young said.
“Earlier on he rode a lot for us and quite a few winners before he broke his leg. Thomas is riding well and hopefully this gives him a lot of confidence going forward.”
“Thomas is riding well and hopefully this gives him a lot of confidence going forward.” – Natalie Young
Tyche Goddess will step out next in the G1 South Australian Oaks and Stockdale is hopeful of retaining the ride.
“I’ve put my case to Trent and Natalie and the decision is up to the owners now. I’ve got a good record on the filly and know her inside and out,” he said.
“I rode her in trials leading up to her maiden win and there’s not really anything I don’t know about her. It would be great to ride her in the Oaks, she’s a live chance and if she got a good run she’d be somewhere in the finish.”
Placed in the G3 Wakeful S. in the spring, Tyche Goddess was given two outings in the lead-up to the Auraria and the stable was confident of a bold showing.
“She was great first-up and then second-up she got a little bit lost in behind them. It was a super effort on Saturday and nice to get that win leading into the Oaks,” Young said.
Tyche Goddess races in the colours of the Pope family, who bred the filly, as does stablemate Bossy Chloe (Street Boss {USA}) who broke her maiden at Mornington last week at her second appearance.
