Star Adelaide jockey, Clare Lindop, says she can appreciate why her contemporary Lucy Warwick has elected to take an indefinite break from race riding and fully endorses her surprising decision.
Warwick has enjoyed a rapid rise to fame since she rode her first winner at Bunbury in 2014, but the glamour girl of Perth racing has struggled for form and motivation since recently returning from an overseas holiday.
Lindop, who was the first Australian women to ride in the Melbourne Cup and won the 2008 VRC Derby aboard, Rebel Raider, told The Sports Daily on Tabradio that the relentless nature of racing can take its toll.
“The racing industry can be pretty unforgiving,” Lindop said.
“It’s day in and day out and can be pretty much hard work to keep yourself up all the time.
“Having a break is probably a really good thing for her.
“Some of the better jockeys who have had time off have had sustained careers.
“Everyone needs a bit of a break and there is nothing wrong with that.
“I think good on her for saying that rather than not doing her best on race day.”
In 2015 Warwick became the fastest Western Australian apprentice in the modern era to outride her claim, losing it in a remarkable 17-months, despite being sidelined for a month with a shoulder injury, losing six weeks because of suspension and spending close to two months in Victoria.
Last season she rode 57 metropolitan winners to finish second behind William Pike in the Perth jockey premiership.
Warwick’s most recent major win was Wink And A Nod, trained by her father, Justin Warwick, in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont in June.
RWWA: Julio Santarelli