Proud father excited to be back training

By Jordan Gerrans

Full of pride about how well his sons are going in the saddle, former hoop Jamie Bayliss is looking forward to getting back into the caper in an official capacity on Saturday.

Jamie – the son of top jockeys Jake and Regan – stepped away from training back in 2010 and relocated to Victoria to aid his two boys' hopes of making it as riders.

At the time he was regarded as a leading Ipswich trainer.

While he was no longer training in his own name, Jamie stayed hands-on in the industry as an assistant trainer and track work rider as Jake and Regan’s careers blossomed.

Now with Jake and Regan riding at the top of their game, Jamie has relocated back to the Sunshine State and is relaunching his training career.

“It is exciting,” Jamie said.

“It has been 13 years since I have had a runner in my name, I am excited to have one go around in my name again. I can’t wait to get started.”

Jamie will have his first runner back since October of 2010 on the Polytrack at the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon when Rye Dee Oh steps out in a Class 1 Plate over 1200 metres.

Jake has made his way back to Queensland in recent times after riding all over the globe and has been helping his old man return to training.

The 29-year-old Jake will ride a few in work for his father some mornings and has partnered gallopers for him in trials recently.

“He is looking forward to getting back into it,” Jake said of his Dad.

Jamie prepared 50 winners – six at a city level – in his first almost-decade long stint training.

He has been back in Queensland – based at Caloundra – for the last six weeks and has 11 in work in his barn.

“It is good to be back home at the Sunny Coast,” Jamie said.

“The move was about family and I missed Queensland and the weather.

“Jake and Regan are happy I am back training. Jake has rode a few in work for me and rode a few in trials for me. We are excited about the future.”

When the Bayliss clan moved to Victoria around 13 years ago, Jake and Regan were just young teenagers dreaming of following in their father’s footsteps to become a jockey.

All these years later, they both have multiple Group 1 victories on their resume and are riding consistently wherever they venture.

Jamie is most certainly a proud father watching on.

“They are going absolutely brilliant,” Jamie said.

“They know I sacrificed and went to Victoria to put them in the best place possible.

“But, everything else has been up to them and they have just kept charging forward.

“I am very happy for them and couldn’t be happier with the way they are going.”

Jake has a strong book of rides at Caloundra on Friday night before heading to town on Saturday and back to the Sunshine Coast on Sunday for the provincial card.

Jamie has booked apprentice Sophie Wilcock to partner Rye Dee Oh in the last event from the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The eight-year-old mare is first-up since the middle of August and Jamie is hopeful she might have a fruitful campaign.

“She was always consistent on the synthetic in Victoria and I was not expecting too much with her but she won her jump-out here the other day,” Jamie said.

“The rider was impressed by her and thought she went well. She drew awkwardly but I think she will be better off over a mile where she can just flow out in front.

“We have to start her off somewhere first-up. I except her to run a really good race.”

Jamie still rides much of his own track work and expects to be active with his owners at the upcoming Magic Millions sales.

As well as Rye Dee Oh, Jamie has high hopes for the unraced Fleur De Vie.

The four-year-old daughter of Fiorente won a Sunshine Coast trial in dominant fashion earlier this week.

“She won easy,” Jamie said.