Jockey Tim Brummell delivers a famous hometown Longreach Cup victory

By Jordan Gerrans

As a veteran jockey in the Central West region of Queensland, Tim Brummell takes it as it comes.

He does not go chasing high profile rides or jumping off a horse he has agreed to partner to take another booking in the same race.

The 45-year-old is happy to stick with the people who have helped him over time and if a fast horse is offered to him, he is more than happy to take it.

The well-travelled rider picked up the job on Centaur in last Saturday’s Longreach Cup by chance and was able to deliver a famous hometown victory on the sand.

While Centaur is prepared out of Rockhampton by Kristie Clark-Peoples these days, the trainer's racing acumen can be traced back to the Longreach Jockey Club.

Clark-Peoples is born and bred in Longreach, with her family having a rich history in the region.

The six-year-old gelding put on an absolute show in the Longreach Cup, leading the entire way to bolt in by four lengths, and in the process qualifying for the Country Cups Challenge Final of 2022.

Brummell was smiling to play a small part in the memorable victory for the stable.

“I think it meant even more to the family to win it,” Brummell said.

“There is a lot of history there and it means even more for the family to win it.

“She is based away from Longreach now but to come back to her so called home town and win it, it was special.”

Clark-Peoples’ two sons grew up in Longreach – before eventually moving away from the area – and were on hand to deliver instructions to Brummell pre-race on Saturday in the saddling enclosure.

Clark-Peoples’ father is fellow trainer Allan Clark.

She married into the Peoples family with David, who is the son of legendary bush horseman Neville Peoples.

“It is great to see families pass the knowledge and love of the industry on like that,” Brummell said.

Longreach Jockey Club president Andrew Watts says the Cup result for 2022 was a popular one.

“There is a lot of rich history in the family from this area,” Watts said.

“They are a great family, as well.”

The Central Queensland miler brought superior form to his Longreach Cup rivals – having won at Townsville and running second at Yeppoon earlier this preparation – and Brummell was more than happy to accept the ride.

“It is always a thrill to win a feature race like this,” Brummell said.

“The way the horse won was quite impressive to say the least.

“It was a very impressive win and I think they are going to have a lot of fun with the horse in the future.”

It was a fantastic day for the easy-going Brummell last Saturday, collecting the Cup and another winner, as well as three other minor placings on the TAB program.

Having recently moved to Barcaldine from Mount Isa, Brummell is not a regular at track work in the morning and will ride gallops once a week.

He is based more than half an hour outside of Barcaldine as he manages a cattle property for a day job outside of his race riding.

And, as he is not at the track every morning, he will head in to ride gallops when requested by a trainer who he has an association with.

“I am a jockey who does not chase good rides, I do not do that,” the candid Brummell detailed.

“I ride for people who are casual and I want to try and stay loyal to these trainers, I will not jump off one and try and ride another.

“For me, it is a tough slog to do that but I like to stick with the people who I am helping at the time.

“And, so it was good for me to pick up a ride like this from the stable in the Cup.”

The experienced jockey completed his apprenticeship with respected bush racing icon Charlie Prow many years ago. 

He went on to spend 20 years working in the mines in Mount Isa – while also riding in the North West – before making the move to Barcaldine in recent times.

Brummell believes the Barcaldine area suits his children as well as his riding and work interests.

“I like the district here, it is a very good area,” he said.

“The schools are good here for my kids and in terms of racing, it is a good area for that, as well.

“There is plenty of rides to get here.”

With Centaur now qualified for the CCC Final in Brisbane later this year, the Longreach Cup winning hoop does not expect to retain the ride on the big stage and says he understands if the stable were to pursue a regular city jockey for the $200,000 event.

It is the second year in a row the Clark-Peoples stable has landed a runner in the CCC Final. 

Hi Harry finished third in the event last year, beaten three lengths. 

Brummell hits the road again this weekend, heading to Jundah, where he has a full book of rides across the program.

Four of those bookings are for Ilfracombe’s Henry Forster, who Brummell regularly rides gallops for.