Since returning to race-riding in late 2023, Kelly Myers has re-established herself as one of the country’s top jockeys, earning an invitation to compete among the world’s best in the prestigious Saudi Cup – International Jockey’s Challenge (IJC) in Saudi Arabia next month.
Myers has ridden more than 700 winners in New Zealand and Australia, and after spending most of 2018-2023 out of the saddle, she partnered 30 winners in the second half of last season, a total she has nearly surpassed this term with 27 on the board.
Her long-time association with Hunterville trainer Adrian Bull has been a key factor in her recent success, with a pair of Group Three victories aboard Jay Bee Gee and guiding Titicaca to top honours in last Saturday’s $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m).
Myers was honoured to receive the call for the IJC, joining a world-class line-up of jockeys that includes expat Kiwi star James McDonald and top European hoops Hollie Doyle and Oisin Murphy.
“You look at some of the names that are competing, there are some very good jockeys and big international names, so I’m honoured to be chosen to ride against them,” Myers said.
“I remember Spratty (Sam Spratt) talking about it a couple of years ago when she went, that was long before I even thought about coming back riding. I thought it was awesome back then, so now fast forward to two years later and it’s me going, I wouldn’t ever have thought that would happen.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the likes of Hollie Doyle, and it’ll be good to see James (McDonald) there.”
The competition, held on February 21, will be run at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, where riders will compete in four races and accumulate points for positions first to fifth. The IJC will be Myers’ first time representing New Zealand on the world stage and also her debut on the dirt surface.
“Watching some racing from over there would be a good place to start, but I’ve already spoken to Lisa (Allpress) and Spratty who have been over there and done it,” she said. “I haven’t ridden on dirt before, so I’ll chat more to them as well as some of the European jockeys that are here at the moment as well. A few have ridden in Dubai where they race on the dirt.
“We’ll head over and ride in the competition, we’ll spend five or so days there. We’ll probably stay and watch the Saudi Cup on the Saturday and head home on the Sunday.”
When she retired, Myers had no intention of coming back to full-time riding, but since returning she has found a good balance between racing and looking after her two young children.
“It’s been good, I’ve really enjoyed being back riding,” she said.
“At some points, it’s been busy, but it’s a good balance with my kids, I enjoy getting out of the house and doing my own thing and then spending time with them. The thing with riding is that I’m not away all day, every day, so you can have that work-life balance, but there has been times where it’s been very hectic.
“I’ve had runs, like everybody does, where I’ve had plenty of winners, then times where it’s hard to get them. But it’s been good and I’m just chipping away.”