Amateur jockey Lucy Klee had a memorable day at Te Aroha on Thursday when recording her first win in the saddle aboard Because in the Jason Roberts BYL Livestock Amateur Riders 2200, and the aspiring apprentice is hoping it is the first of many.

“It was a great thrill and he was such a nice horse to do it on as well,” Klee said. “I was pretty confident in his form, he has run in the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) and gone really well over distance, so I was pretty keen on him.”

Klee, 20, has now had seven rides in the Race Images-sponsored Amateur Riders Series, and she has enjoyed her time competing on raceday.

“I have been loving it,” she said. “It has been a great experience and I am hoping to be an apprentice next March.

“It has been a good chance to make connections and get out there on raceday because it is such a big jump up from jumpouts and trials.

“Hopefully it can set me up for a good apprenticeship.”

Klee has been riding her entire life and has competed in showjumping and eventing, but admitted becoming a jockey was the furthest thing from her mind while growing up.

“My Mum had horses and I have grown up showing and dressage,” she said. “I never had any aspirations of becoming a jockey and I hated speed, I was quite scared of it.

“I got into jumping and eventing and then decided I would ride trackwork one day and I just got looped in through that, and everything I did I really enjoyed.

“I started in Otaki working for Buddy Lammas and Gary Vile, and I then started riding a bit of work for Andrew Campbell. I found my way up to New Plymouth in search of more experience where I have met a few more trainers and have a few more rides each morning.”

Klee is now working for New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler, and she said she is enjoying learning from the respected horseman.

“I am loving it at John’s, it is a great place to work,” she said. “We get a lot of variety there and John is lovely to work for, I am really enjoying it.”

While looking forward to commencing her apprenticeship next year, Klee said she still enjoys eventing and is looking forward to competing over summer before focussing on racing.

“I have a thoroughbred that I event. She is pretty cool and I have had a lot of success on her,” she said.

“I try to (compete) when I can. I have been a bit busy lately, but I am hoping to bring my mare back in and get her going over summer and have one more season with her.

“By March I will be finished the eventing season and I can get stuck into my apprenticeship.”