Tom Orr out to make his own name

By Jordan Gerrans

Being the grandson of one of the most powerful people in the Queensland racing industry can have its positives and negatives for emerging hoop Tom Orr.

Firstly, it is not obvious anyway that Orr’s grandfather is Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Neville Bell with their different surnames.

Orr says his prominent grandfather can open many doors for him in the caper.

But, he also understands and is conscious that it also may come with some preconceived notions.

“I do not often lead with that fact that he is my grandfather just because some people will make assumptions about me,” Orr said.

The 26-year-old Orr is making his own name in the gallops after having his first ride in a race earlier this year.

He has quickly tallied 15 winners.

Bell has raced horses for decades, mainly in Brisbane with occasional runners interstate, highlighted by Sky Heights' wins in the 1999 AJC Derby and 1999 Caulfield Cup.

Racing is in their blood.

Bell recalls having breakfast with his grandson a couple of years ago when he first broached the idea of becoming a jockey. 

At that stage, Orr had never really ridden a horse before.

"He mentioned it to me and I said 'well let's just think about this for a while because you never have ridden in any sort of competition before'," Bell said with a laugh.

"We followed that up with another conversation a couple of weeks later and he was really, really keen.

"It is very tough for someone to start riding from scratch.

"As a young person Tom was more interested in flying around on skateboards, climbing trees and was a very adventurous person.

"But, I have never seen him as focused as he is now about being a jockey."

Orr grew up on Bell’s farm around horses but did not actually ever ride until a couple of years ago when he decided to pursue a career as a jockey.

The recently retired Les Ross took on the challenge of mentoring the inexperienced Orr after Bell approached him on behalf of his grandson.

“He is really great at introducing me to people in the industry, it has been very helpful,” Orr said of his grandfather.

“It has been really beneficial to me with all the connections he has. He is always checking in on me to see if I am on the right path.

“He always puts forward ideas or people that I should be looking up to, either watch or talk to – whoever I can learn the most from.

“They are usually people who have succeeded in racing.”

Bell was on course at Dalby on the afternoon when Orr had his maiden race ride earlier this year.

While Orr was not hands-on in racing until a couple of years ago, he was pulling beers at Gallopers Sports Club before starting his apprenticeship so he was familiar with many in the industry locally.

Orr’s passage towards becoming an apprentice jockey is most certainly an intriguing one.  

He spent time studying two different degrees at university in his years after completing high school before eventually getting into the jockey ranks.

He admits to being a bit lost when his high school studies were completed around what he wanted to do with the rest of his life from a work perspective.

Orr studied International Relations for 18 months before going on to work as a Civil Draftsman with the aim of becoming a Civil Engineer.

He uses words such as ‘no motivation’ and ‘burnt out’ when reflecting on his tertiary study days.

That is why he appreciates being a jockey so much right now.

“I haven’t found the transition to being an apprentice too bad because I went into it all knowing how much work it was going to be and it needed 100 per cent dedication,” he said.

“I knew there would not be much time for anything else in my life.

“If you go into something like this half-cocked then you are going to struggle and it is going to take a long time.

“I did not try and rush anything, took it as it came, and here we are really.”

As all first-year apprentices need to do to gain more experience and knowledge in the saddle, Orr has been travelling far and wide across the Sunshine State since making his debut in March.

He has piloted multiple winners at Longreach, Roma and Cunnamulla so far.

He heads to Bundaberg this Saturday for two engagements. 

“I am seeing quite a lot of the state that I never would have seen if I wasn’t a jockey, I am quite enjoying it and all the travel,” he said.

“It is part of racing that I never really considered that I would be exposed to and see all these small-scale bush meetings.

“They love their racing in the bush and I am really enjoying it so far.

“I feel like I am definitely improving as a rider every week and I am always open to new ideas and watching and listening as much as I can. I try and take it all on board.

“The worst thing you can do is try and pretend you know it all so I just try and learn from my mistakes and learn from everyone else, as well.”

Following Ross’ retirement, Orr’s indenture has been transferred to Donna Stanbridge.

Stanbridge – who worked alongside Ross for many years before his retirement – says the entire stable is pleased with the way Orr has developed as a rider since making his first race day appearance.

“It has been awesome to watch Tom,” the trainer says.

“It is amazing to see how much he has grown and learnt. We are all really proud of him.”

Sky Heights and champion rider Damien Oliver wore Bell's gold and blue silks when they claimed the 1999 Caulfield Cup.

Riding in the trials on Monday morning at Beaudesert, Orr had those same colours on his helmet. 

Bell is hopeful that once Orr progresses through the country and provincial grades that his grandson will wear his famous colours on BRC tracks.

"Hopefully it is sooner rather than later," the club Chairman said.

"One of the aspirations that we both have is to see him in my colours riding a winner at Doomben or Eagle Farm. That would be the icing on the cake for me and the rest of the family, as well.

"It is a pleasant surprise for me to have a grandson like him in the riding ranks as a jockey, it is something that I had never dreamt of happening.

"I have seen all the highs and lows of racing through breeding, ownership and administration but this is one of my great highs in racing to see Tom riding and progressing to be a metropolitan jockey. I am sure he is going to get there."