Wilson-Taylor looking forward to Kiwi venture

Group One-winning jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor has already had Group success in New Zealand, and the Queensland hoop is hoping he can add several more to his haul when he arrives in New Zealand next week for an extended riding stint.

The 26-year-old had his first taste of Kiwi racing two years ago when guiding the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) to success in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham, with that trip whetting his appetite for international racing.

Wilson-Taylor has continued to keep a close eye on New Zealand racing, and with the desire to experience riding in another jurisdiction for an extended period, he decided a couple of months ago to take the leap and test the waters on this side of the Tasman.

“The (Queensland Winter) Carnival has gone by here and I rode in New Zealand that one time, and I have ridden in Singapore once before as well, but I have only ever really known riding in Brisbane and I just want to continue to improve and I want to broaden my horizons a bit and gain more experience,” he said.

“The (Spring) Carnival is coming up and it looks like there are a lot of good horses and I would love to come across and see if I can throw my leg over a few of them and hopefully have a fair bit of success.”

Wilson-Taylor will arrive in New Zealand next Friday and he will be straight into the action and head north to ride on the opening day of the new season a day later at Ruakaka.

He has teamed up with jockey agent Michael Coleman during his time in New Zealand, and he said he is looking forward to leaning on the former champion jockey for advice.

“I was sussing around managers in New Zealand, and he was such a great jockey and is someone I can lean on for advice as well,” Wilson-Taylor said. “I am going to be staying with Craig Grylls, and he manages Craig, and the fact that he only has Craig was a big plus. He can put all his time into the two of us, which will be very beneficial.

“He has already started taking rides for Ruakaka on the first (of August), so anybody who wants me on they know where to find me, through Mick.”

While he will be based in Matamata, Wilson-Taylor said he will be available to ride track work for Cambridge-based trainers as well.

“I will be based at Matamata, but I will be riding work every day and I will be floating between there and Cambridge,” he said. “I will be riding for Wexford Stables and Te Akau, but anyone and everyone who wants to throw me a bone are certainly welcome to do so. I am happy to ride trials and track work for everyone.”

Wilson-Taylor said his fiancé, leading Queensland jockey Angela Jones, will travel with him to New Zealand to help him settle in, but she will head back to Queensland next month to focus on her own career and return to raceday riding.

“She is still out with injury, so she is coming over to help me settle in and she will come back here (Brisbane) in the second week of August and she will be riding track work,” Wilson-Taylor said. “Towards the end of August she will hopefully be having her first rides back in Brisbane.

“We will just be floating between the two places to see each other, luckily it is only a short flight.”

Jones also tasted Group success in New Zealand when riding the Peter and Shaun McKay-trained Santa Catalina (NZ) (Puccini) to victory in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and with her fiancé based on this side of the Tasman, she may compete in New Zealand once again.

“I am sure she will, especially having me here, which will be a big help for her to do that,” Wilson-Taylor said.

While keeping a close eye on New Zealand racing, Wilson-Taylor has enjoyed watching the success of his compatriot Matt Cartwright, and he is hopeful he can have similar success.

“He is a good rider that was underutilised in Melbourne, and he has gone there (New Zealand) and with the support he has had he has been able to link up with some good horses, none better than Well Written,” he said. “I am hopeful that the same can happen for me.

“I am pretty proud of my CV already and I am just looking to build on that.”

Wilson-Taylor recorded his maiden Group One success aboard Palaisipan (So You Think) in the 2023 edition of the Tattersall's Tiara (1400m), and he is hoping his time in New Zealand can lead to a few more elite-level scalps.

“My biggest win to date was the Gr.1 Tatts Tiara, and hopefully there are a few more instore across the ditch,” he said. “I am just looking forward to getting over there, getting stuck in and working hard, and making an impact.”

Wilson-Taylor said the initial plan is to remain in New Zealand until at least January, at which time he will reassess his options before ultimately returning home to Brisbane.

“Brisbane is obviously home and this is where I will come back to, but I will certainly be there for six months to begin with and then I will see how I am going,” he said.