Wilson claims amateur jockey series

Hannah Wilson finished her time as an amateur jockey in the best possible fashion at Te Aroha on Sunday when winning the Duke of Gloucester Cup (2200m), and ultimately the Race Images-sponsored 2026 Amateur Rider Series.

The 23-year-old hoop was sitting two points behind series leader Monique Dey heading into the race and was rapt to claim 10 points when piloting the Kevin Myers-trained So Call Me to victory in the coveted amateur race, leapfrogging Dey for the title.

“It is a huge race for the amateurs, so I was quite nervous going into it, I really wanted to take it out,” Wilson said.

“I knew I had a good horse underneath me. He was carrying a bit of weight, which I thought might be a bit of trouble, but he’s a really good jumper and his trial coming into it was great too. In the running he gave me such a great feel, he was travelling so well.”

Wilson has been a leading player throughout the series, bagging four wins and three placings from eight starts – far exceeding her expectations when she began her riding career earlier this year.

“It (series win) was a dream from the beginning, so it was so cool to get it,” she said.

“I came into it not expecting much, I just wanted the experience, but I have ridden some good horses along the way that have helped me, so it has been great.”

Wilson was particularly grateful to Myers, who has been a key player in her career to date, having also trained her first winner, Four Square Pete, at Trentham in July.

“He has been amazing, not just in the series but behind the scenes with trials,” Wilson said. “He has been a huge supporter, and I can’t thank him enough for helping me get to where I am now.”

Wilson has designs on commencing her apprenticeship next year and she said the experience she has gained from riding on raceday as an amateur has been invaluable.

“It has given me so much more confidence,” she said. “It has been really nice preparation for my apprenticeship.”

With the amateur series now over, Wilson, who is currently freelance riding at Awapuni, said she will concentrate on the trials in the coming months and aligning herself with a trainer ahead of her apprenticeship.

“I have been really lucky with making some really good connections with the trainers at Awapuni,” she said. “With the probation period, you have to be with a trainer that you are going to sign up with for five months. I was just focussing on this series and in the next week or two I will make my final decision of who I want to sign up with.

“The next intake is in March so I am just going to keep my trial rides up and do as much as I can.” 

2026 Amateur Rider Series