Apprentice hoop retires from race riding

By Jordan Gerrans

Apprentice hoop Isabella Rabjones says she walks away from race riding content with what she achieved in her career.

The 26-year-old has been forced to call time on her riding career after a number of concussions in recent weeks.

The most recent fall came at Toowoomba earlier this month, which Rabjones estimates is her sixth concussion since 2016.

The talented jockey has been consulting with Dr Peter Friis - Sports Physician practising Sports Medicine in Brisbane – for some time and has come to the conclusion that she would cease riding in races.

After out-riding her country claim, as well as collecting metropolitan winners on a Wednesday and a Saturday, Rabjones says she steps away from race riding proud with what she has achieved after first riding in a race in 2015.

“I have achieved everything I set out to, I ticked off every goal,” she said.

“I tried to give up once before but I wanted to come back because I had not achieved those things, I could not just walk away.

“Now having done what I wanted, it has made the decision easier.

“I have done everything I set out to so giving up now is easy.

“I am really proud of the achievements I have made and I can walk away now and be really happy with how I went.

“I proved to myself that I could do it and that is important to me.”

Rabjones’ maiden Saturday city winner only came earlier this month on a special horse to her, Tears Of Love.

Prepared by her boss Matt Kropp, the Toowoomba-based hoop has won on Tears Of Love on four occasions from five races together.

The tough stayer led the entire way in Benchmark 85 grade to hand Rabjones her maiden triumph in the big smoke on a Saturday. 

“I am happy that he was my only one,” she said.

Rabjones – who retires with 112 winners to her name - referred to her boss Kropp and his stable as “family” for all they have do for her over the years.

She will remain in the racing industry and continue to ride track work for Kropp and a couple of other Darling Downs trainers.

Doctors have cleared her to keep riding track work.

“It is just because track work is more controlled and you run the risk of hitting the ground less hard,” she said.

“There is still some risk riding track work but at least I can pick and choose what I ride and do not ride as well as how many I do.

“I am keen to complete my apprenticeship in May and become a senior rider, that will be great to finish that and get the certificate.

“I would still like to be around the horses with whatever I do as I love the industry.”

The nearly 27-year-old is interested in completing some study now that her race riding career is over to open up more employment opportunities on top of her track work riding commitments.

“I think concussion is something that needs to be spoken about more in sport and in racing,” she said.

“I think it is so important for people to allow their brain to settle after a concussion.

“I would like to see jockeys not riding for at least a week after they have had a fall where they have got a concussion.”

Rabjones grew up idolising legend Glen Boss as a jockey and hails from the Northern Rivers area.