Sandkuhl soaking up Sunshine State sojourn

By Jordan Gerrans

When Fiona Sandkuhl’s master Mitchell Beer decided to open a new Kembla Grange stable, it left the apprentice jockey’s career in a state of somewhat limbo.

It was about a year ago when Beer first announced he would be adding to his existing operation from Albury.

As the 24-year-old Sandkuhl was not overly keen on a Sydney move, she remained in Albury.

While it left her riding prospects going forward up in the air at the time, Sandkuhl looks back on that time in her life as the push she needed to better herself and further her career in the saddle.

Sandkuhl has recently moved north to the Matthew Hoysted stable on an initial three-month loan period and booted home her first Queensland winner at Dalby earlier this month.

Reflecting on the sliding doors moment, Sandkuhl says she was likely to just cruise along in Albury under the guidance of Beer if he was to remain.

“I did not want to go to Kembla with Mitch as I thought that would be a mistake for me as I am not sure I would have got much of a go in Sydney,” she said.

“I think Mitch going to Kembla was the kick in the pants I needed to get out of my comfort zone.

“I probably would have just stayed in Albury forever had he have stayed there because I had a really good group of friends and that there.

“I think needing to move stables was a blessing really.”

Sandkuhl says she lands in the Sunshine State with a refreshed attitude and mind aiming to attack her riding after recently being plagued by an array of injury concerns.

She has had a stop-start last year or so with her race riding, having battled three separate injuries which occurred not far apart from each other.

After Beer headed to Kembla Grange, the apprentice transferred her apprenticeship to Rob Wellington before eventually heading north to Hoysted.

Hoysted welcomes Sandkuhl to his team after the stable’s former apprentice Emily Lang shifted to fellow Eagle Farm trainer Tony Gollan.

Promising rider Lang previously worked for the now dissolved Group 1-winning partnership of Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted.

Hoysted now trains alone.

Sandkuhl - who has 58 winners to her name since having her first race ride in 2021 - connected with Hoysted through Jordan Mallyon. 

Mallyon and Sandkuhl spent time together at Beer’s barn and Mallyon is now a trusted offsider of Hoysted.

“I am glad that I did come up because they are a great bunch of people to work for,” the apprentice jockey said.

“I am really enjoying it. I think I have settled in pretty well and I love the track here in Brisbane.

“It is a big change from Albury, even the stables and everything, they are big and beautiful.

“It is a good place to work and everyone is welcoming and friendly.”

The apprentice kicked off her association with her new boss in positive fashion when she scored aboard one of her first rides for Hoysted when Encrypted Elegance got the money at Dalby last Monday.

The four-year-old mare proved too strong in Benchmark 55 Handicap grade over 1000 metres.

“It is good to get my name out there and I think she was a perfect horse to ride,” she said.

“She won the race pretty well – getting one for Matt straight away helps me a lot.

“She bounded out of the gates really well and we were able to settle into a really lovely rhythm just behind the speed.

“It worked out really well as I was able to pop off their backs and cruise down to the line.

“She was super and strong but I think most importantly she was relaxed early and did not overdo it.”

After battling injury over the last year, Sandkuhl is eager to continue to lower her riding weight to push for more opportunities.

She has been booked by a handful of different trainers since relocating north and has ridden at a few South East Queensland tracks.

“I am trying to get in peak form condition wise, I am still not riding as light as I can,” the young hoop said.

“It will still take me a couple of weeks to a month to get down to my normal weight after having a few injuries recently.

“That is the goal, to come up here for a change and something different and use it as a step up in my career.”

The apprentice is on a three-month loan stint initially but is keen to remain in Queensland for the long haul if all goes to plan.