THE SUNDAY STORY: SEAN CORMACK - THE MULTIPLE GROUP 1 WINNING JOCKEY IS RIDING AS WELL AS EVER

By Graham Potter | Sunday, August 6, 2023

Multiple Group 1 winning rider Sean Cormack could be described as something of a forgotten man in the riding ranks in South-East Queensland.

A winner of no less than eighty Group or Listed races … fourteen of those at Group 1 level … during a career which spans international experience from South Africa to Singapore to Australia, Cormack showed that he still has those winning qualities which brought him all of those Black Type results when he piloted Noah ‘N’ A Deel to victory in this season’s running of the Tatts Gold Crown during the Queensland Winter Carnival.

A race over 2137m, the 2023 Tatts Crown ultimately provided a real test for all involved, not least because of its thrilling finish which saw just 1.62 lengths cover the first five runners across the line after a length of the straight battle between the main protagonists.

While it was a case of ‘the best horse wins,’ … Cormack played an essential part in Noah ‘N’ A Deel’s victory … from using all of his experience to elect to push his mount forward when the pace became muddling mid-race, to setting Noah ‘N’ A Deel alight at the right time shortly after turning for home … to riding with the appropriate forceful, but absolutely balanced, vigour all the way to the line to peg back the host of runners who were snapping at Noah ‘N’ A Deel’s heels.

And, while on the quality of the ride, it is worth noting that the four runners who finished closest to Noah ‘N’ A Deel at the line were ridden by Ryan Maloney, Jimmy Orman, Damien Thornton and Kerrin McEvoy … top, top riders, none of them easy to beat in a driving finish.

So, it was a ride of the highest order.

But, for all of the quality there, Cormack has continued to fly very much under the radar to the point that when he posts a reminder of his noteworthy presence in the riding ranks in South-East Queensland, it tends to come at a cost to punters.

As happened on Saturday at Eagle Farm where Cormack steered Stampe to victory at a starting price of $26. Again, a ride full of quality, rating his mount to perfection from the front and being both strong and committed in a driving finish.

Stampe was one of only two rides Cormack had on the day. When Cormack won the Tatts Gold Crown on Noah ‘N’ A Deel it was his only ride on the day ... figures which suggest that Cormack’s services are currently not being used anywhere near his obvious capacity or capability. (For the record, Cormack only had 82 Metropolitan rides over the twelve months of the 2022/23 season).

Not that he expects any favours. In essence, and this is the same for all riders, it all comes down to the opportunities on offer and Cormack has been around long enough to, firstly, understand just where he stands in the line where opportunities are handed out, and, secondly, why he is in that position.

Top jockeys lined up with top stables, in-form apprentices in demand, an influx of riders from New South Wales and Victoria ... all of these aspects have a knock on effect on the state of play within the South-East Queensland jockey ranks.

“That’s just life. That’s the way it works,” was Cormack’s respond to that situation.

“Wherever we stand in the pecking order though, you have to make the best of it. If you are out of the loop, so to speak, you still have to make the best of it. I have no complaint about where I stand. I feel I am in a very good place mentally.

“I cannot change the thinking behind who owners and trainers want on their horses in my favour, expect by working hard and getting the best results I can in my circumstances. I can only go out and try to win on every horse I ride … or to, at very least, improve every horse I ride … and I feel that has happened a lot.

“I’m all about riding winners. I’m not about going to town and riding a $100 shot just to be seen in town. It’s about riding horses with good chances and trying to translate that into winners. That’s what drives me. That’s what drives most jockeys.

“I’m prepared to go wherever I can to ride a winner … and if people want to see me as a provincial rider on that basis, that’s their prerogative, but that is my mindset, and I am happy with that.

“Following that route can bring its rewards. I was fortunate enough that I did go to the provincials at the Gold Coast and ended up riding Noah ‘N’ A Deel and she brought me back to town for some decent races … back riding the odd Group 1 (Noah ‘N’ A Deel finished third in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks) and in Group 2 and Group 3 races and Listed races.”

“She, Les (Kelly) and the owners have given me the opportunity to not only compete, but to be competitive at that level.

“Of course, I’d like to be riding in town more often, but on the terms I’ve mentioned. I certainly think I have the ability to compete there as, hopefully, that Tatts Gold Crown win showed.

“You know, I rode five Group 1 wins in one season in South Africa … I finished second and third in The July, South Africa’s biggest race, on several occasions,” continued Cormack. “I won so many feature races there on multiple occasions. Also, I’ve won a couple of Listed races in Singapore.

“It hasn’t happened for me in Australia yet, but my confidence in my own ability is as strong as it was then.

“I can’t stress enough that I’m very positive about the racing scene here and I am realistic in assessing my own position.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and that I am being given and I want to thank all of those who have shown me support.”

More articles