Shane Dye: Champion Jockey
Australia has produced some of the best jockeys in the world and one of them is undoubtedly Shane Dye. The New Zealand born champion jockey won the respect of many owners and trainers with his tactical riding skills. Becoming New Zealand's champion apprentice jockey during 1983 - 1985 was only the start of a formidable racing career for Shane, winning two Sydney premierships in 1990-1991 and again in 1996-1997.
Shane's brilliance as a jockey has made him the 'Golden Boy' of racing. Undoubtedly, his achievements are legendary and his 'never say die' attitude is what keeps him going strong. For the most part, Shane calls the world as he sees it. During his early years his brashness was misconstrued as being a show off, mainly due to his confidence. However, it did not take long for his critics to realize that the sheer tactical brilliance of Shane as a rider made him a true winner.
Shane did not take long to establish himself as Australia's best rider after his move from New Zealand in the late 1980s. It did not take long for him to become the favorite of Australian punters, winning four Golden Slipper Stakes in a row from 1989 to 1992, and an astounding victory in the 1989 Melbourne Cup on Tawrrific. Not surprisingly, the 'Golden Boy' followed it up with 4 Derby wins, 9 Oaks wins, 93 Group One winners, and over 300 Group or Listed Race winners. To top this is seven million dollars in stake money, which Shane achieved in a single season.
Shane's career is not without its fair share of adversities. Two nasty falls resulted in broken vertebrae in the neck and back. However, luck has been on his side with no major spinal cord injury. In 2006, Shane lapsed into a coma and underwent brain surgery at a Hong Kong hospital after a fall from Paul O'Sullivan-trained Ambitious Marju shortly after the start of the race. Along with injuries, controversy also followed the champion jockey everywhere he rode. His straightforward attitude prompted him to criticize Australian racing conditions in 2003, claiming a bias built into the racetracks across the country. In the 1992 Caulfield Cup, Shane took Veandercross far wide where the going was better in spite of being in a winning position, losing narrowly to Mannerism in the end. He also became known for poaching rides from fellow jockeys, an act that is highly debatable, since horse racing is a tough business.
Tactical to the core, Shane soon became known for diligence and preparedness, often studying potential rides for weeks ahead along with their rivals. He backs this up when asked to describe himself. "Someone who wants to be successful, someone who rides a lot of winners, someone who works hard, someone who wants to keep riding.
After eight years of riding in Hong Kong, the Golden Boy failed to reignite his racing career in Sydney, prompting a move to Mauritius. Shane Dye's quest for winning has taken him to the racetracks in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Mauritius, and is said to be weighing up an offer to continue his career in India.
Shane's brilliance as a jockey has made him the 'Golden Boy' of racing. Undoubtedly, his achievements are legendary and his 'never say die' attitude is what keeps him going strong. For the most part, Shane calls the world as he sees it. During his early years his brashness was misconstrued as being a show off, mainly due to his confidence. However, it did not take long for his critics to realize that the sheer tactical brilliance of Shane as a rider made him a true winner.
Shane did not take long to establish himself as Australia's best rider after his move from New Zealand in the late 1980s. It did not take long for him to become the favorite of Australian punters, winning four Golden Slipper Stakes in a row from 1989 to 1992, and an astounding victory in the 1989 Melbourne Cup on Tawrrific. Not surprisingly, the 'Golden Boy' followed it up with 4 Derby wins, 9 Oaks wins, 93 Group One winners, and over 300 Group or Listed Race winners. To top this is seven million dollars in stake money, which Shane achieved in a single season.
Shane's career is not without its fair share of adversities. Two nasty falls resulted in broken vertebrae in the neck and back. However, luck has been on his side with no major spinal cord injury. In 2006, Shane lapsed into a coma and underwent brain surgery at a Hong Kong hospital after a fall from Paul O'Sullivan-trained Ambitious Marju shortly after the start of the race. Along with injuries, controversy also followed the champion jockey everywhere he rode. His straightforward attitude prompted him to criticize Australian racing conditions in 2003, claiming a bias built into the racetracks across the country. In the 1992 Caulfield Cup, Shane took Veandercross far wide where the going was better in spite of being in a winning position, losing narrowly to Mannerism in the end. He also became known for poaching rides from fellow jockeys, an act that is highly debatable, since horse racing is a tough business.
Tactical to the core, Shane soon became known for diligence and preparedness, often studying potential rides for weeks ahead along with their rivals. He backs this up when asked to describe himself. "Someone who wants to be successful, someone who rides a lot of winners, someone who works hard, someone who wants to keep riding.
After eight years of riding in Hong Kong, the Golden Boy failed to reignite his racing career in Sydney, prompting a move to Mauritius. Shane Dye's quest for winning has taken him to the racetracks in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Mauritius, and is said to be weighing up an offer to continue his career in India.