SAMANTHA COLLETT HEADING BACK TO NEW ZEALAND

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, May 27, 2025

It’s something of a sad change within the Queenland riding ranks with Samantha Collett confirming that she will be returning to New Zealand, at least for the foreseeable future, after riding at the Queensland Oaks meeting at Eagle Farm on Saturday, June 7.

Collett’s decision was based on very practical considerations.

“It’s an option that has probably been on my mind for a little while because my rides were starting to dry up,” acknowledged Collett.

“There are a lot of jockeys in Queensland. I want to be as busy as possible, and the amount of work I have been riding hasn’t balanced up with the amount of race rides I’ve been getting.

“That got to a stage where I had to weigh up my options. The prize-money is good enough at home (in New Zealand) and I’ve obviously got a base of people who would support me there, so returning home was the logical option.

“I probably wasn’t planning on doing it as quickly as it has come about.

“I’ve been in Queensland for about three-and-a-half years and I would have been more than happy to stay here if the right opportunities came around, but our line of work isn’t promised to you for a long time, so you have got to try and make hay while the suns shines and I want to make as much money as possible while I can.

“Hopefully, it is the right move financially for me. When I get home I won’t be under the financial pressure I have been here and I’ll be able to be more particular about the rides I take rather than just having to ride horses for the sake of paying bills.

“I probably won’t try to hustle too hard when I get first here. I know what New Zealand winters are like. They are brutal.

“My sister has a law form in Auckland and she’s in need for a bit of a PA and someone to help manage the staff, and I always sort of wanted to cut my teeth on something a little bit different … not that I’m educated in that to be assisting her a whole lot … but it’s a role I will give a little bit of a crack. I don’t want to be a one trick pony my whole life.

“I’ll ride too, as well, but I won’t be as busy in that regard as I plan to be until the new season begins.

“I’m really grateful for my big support team in New Zealand who are excited to have me back … which is fantastic.

“Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people I will miss in Queensland and, if I ever decide to come back, there are plenty of people I know who will make it easier for me than when I first came over.

“I daresay I will be back sometime … to escape the New Zealand winter.

“Apart from anything else, when I came to Queensland in 2021 it was a massive change of lifestyle for me from obviously being back on the farm in New Zealand and being that way for most of my life

“I’ve been living in the city here and I have thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part … and I thank all of those people who helped me and gave me opportunities while I have been in Queensland … but I’ve got to keep challenging myself.”

And Collett will be returning to a happy hunting ground.

All three of her Group 1 wins came in New Zealand … two Auckland Cups and a Levin Classic.

Collett also won the 2028/19 New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership and shares in a rare family distinction achieved by the fact that Collett, her father and mother have all ridden over 1000 winners in their respective careers in the saddle.

No wonder she will be welcomed back with open arms.

Even though Collett’s career wasn’t flying high in recent times, that does not detract in any way from the fact that, at this time, Queensland’s loss is New Zealand gain and that Collett will be missed by her many friends in the Sunshine State, not least for her infectious fun-loving and friendly personality.

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