CEJAY GRAHAM STRIKES GROUP 2 GOLD

By Graham Potter | Saturday, May 4, 2024

It was an emotional moment for Cejay Graham ... and understandably so ... given all she has gone though and all she has overcome to be able to earn her first Group 2 success aboard the Gary Portelli trained Kintyre in the Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

‘Earn’ is the word you can underline in that sentence.

A fully focussed, disciplined dedication to race-riding, backed by a second-to-none work ethic and the capacity and willingness to keep learning and refining her riding skills ... all buoyed by a mental toughness that helped to enforce her simple, steadfast refusal to let physical injury setbacks derail her career (and she has had plenty to cope with on that front) ... and last, but not least, a quite but engaging personality, which oozes professionalism ... all of this played a part in helping Graham ‘earn’ her latest triumph.

It was no ‘gimme’ ... anytime along the way ... so Graham was entitled to her release of emotion post-race on the day of her biggest success to date, yet even that came with an admirable measure of control.
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“I think I’ve cried five times already,” said Graham when she finally got back to the jockey’s room.

“There were times when I honestly thought I wouldn’t get back to riding ... with all of the time off I have had ... and that’s what makes me emotional.

“This is what I live and breath for ... what I dream for and work for. I have worked hard, and this just makes all of the bad luck and bad times all worth it, you know.

“That last injury ... I didn’t know if I could come back. Then, when I did and came up to Brisbane, I was just hoping to ride a couple of winners. I didn’t even think I would even get a ride on a (Guineas) day like this.

‘To be given this opportunity and to salute is surreal. I couldn’t be more grateful to Gary (Portelli) and the owners ... and hopefully this will put me in good stead as I move towards coming out of my apprenticeship.”
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“My horse (Kintyre) is a tough war-horse and I was pretty confident I was going to keep Razors out, but I was still unsure on the line. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it!”

Robbie Dolan, the rider of the second placed Razors, was able to vouch for Graham’s delayed acceptance of her win.

“I shouted across to her ... well done,” said Dolan. “She said I don’t know if I got it. I said you beat me by half-a-length.”

“I just didn’t want to think that I’d got it ... and then didn’t,” added Graham.

Once she knew the result was official, Graham was able to look back at how the race unfolded.

“The race couldn’t have panned out any better. I got such a sweet run, and I was able to make those leaders do just enough work to give me a good sit in the race.

“When the leaders started peeling off, I just knew I was going to have a sweet run through. I did ... and I just couldn’t believe it when he poked his head out front. It was a feeling like no other.”

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Graham’s response to ticking the Group 2 winner box, aptly sums her up both as a person and a competitor.

“I’ve just got to raise the bar ... just keep working harder!”

Little wonder then that Graham has taken Brisbane by storm this season.

Kintyre’s win brought her Metropolitan win total to 54.5 for the season, a number which places her second on the Brisbane Jockey’s Premiership and 14.5 winners clear at the top of the Brisbane Apprentice Jockey Premiership.

Now the Group 2 win.

It’s been quite a season ... and Graham isn’t finished yet!

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