Baylee Nothdurft up for next challenge in the racing industry

By Jordan Gerrans

With the door all but completely closed on his riding chapter, Baylee Nothdurft is looking forward to learning new skills and gaining more knowledge within the racing industry.

The 23-year-old has taken just one race ride over the last six weeks and last week declared his race riding days are likely over as he battles with his weight.

The tall hoop packed plenty into his short career as a professional jockey – winning a Brisbane metropolitan riders premiership as well as seven Listed races.

He will not be lost to the racing game, continuing to ride work and in trials for the in-form Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted yard, as well as expanding his role for the stable.

O'Dea and Hoysted – who only trail premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan for winners this season – came to Nothdurft during one of his recent breaks from race riding with a proposal that while is not race riding, it might just be the next best thing.

“They came up to me a couple of times through my breaks and said to me 'look, have you thought about what you are going to do when you are done riding?',” Nothdurft recalled.

“I had not and they told me they would be happy to talk about it with me when it did come.

“We had the discussion and I am keen to learn off them. They planned ahead for me and I cannot be more grateful for that.

“They have been amazing for me. I am excited to do that but I am sad not to be riding firstly as that’s what I want to do.”

Nothdurft is unsure about what exactly will come from his new role with the Eagle Farm-based team but he is keen to see where it takes him.

“It will be about business and training – everything I can really, I want to learn as much as I can,” Nothdurft  said.

“At the moment, I am going to the race meetings and looking at it from a trainers perspective, learning that side of it.

“Whether it be a co-trainer or anything they want me to do, I am happy to do.

“That’s what I’m going to do and hopefully I can continue to learn plenty from them. I’m looking forward to learning a bit more about the training side of racing.”

Multiple Group 1-winning hoop Larry Cassidy has watched Nothdurft’s career closely in recent years and believes he will be able to transition into a new role within the industry comfortably.

“When you look at Baylee and see how tall he is, he has a foot on me and it is actually heartbreaking because he can ride,’ Cassidy said.

“Horses go for him as he is a patient and strong rider.

“Hopefully one day if his weight steadies then he can get back riding but if not, I am sure he will go on within the industry as an assistant trainer or maybe a trainer in his own right down the line.”

Having ridden for around 35 years himself, Cassidy said he understands what Nothdurft has endured in recent years as he has always struggled to ride the minimum weight his entire career.

Nothdurft lauded the efforts of O'Dea and Hoysted to help his career.

The young gun previously worked for Gollan before attending to his weight concerns and serving a suspension in early 2021.

“They have been really good ever since I joined them,” he said.

“I have been there just over a year now and they gave me a lot of support when I was riding and off the track too.

“Every time I had a break from riding, they told me to just take my time with my weight as the rides will always be there for them when I was right to go.”

The first apprentice to win the Brisbane jockeys premiership in two decades has not completely closed the door on race riding but says it is doubtful he will be back any time soon.

“I have no immediate plans to return and comeback riding at this stage,” he said.