Consistency champion rider’s top goal
Paul Vettise • July 31st, 2025 11:27 AM • 3 min read
Champion jockey Craig Grylls takes an uncomplicated approach to his riding and that will again carry over to the new season.
The 35-year-old had the 2024/25 New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership parcelled up well in advance of the term’s end with 141 winners, with runner-up Michael McNab on 86.
“I’m really chuffed, it’s good when everything works out and there’s been a lot of travelling and I wouldn’t say it’s been easy, but it’s been very rewarding and I’m absolutely stoked,” Grylls said.
Such was his lead, the Matamata-based Grylls was able to take an extended period off to recharge his batteries.
“It was pretty fatiguing with the travel and wasting, but I was very fortunate that I was able to take six weeks off and have a decent break and still win it,” he said.
Grylls isn’t solely focussed on retaining his jockey’s crown and will assess later in the season whether to put in extra miles in pursuit of a title defence.
“I’ll see how things pan out, if I’m in the striking zone it would be silly not to have another go,” he said.
“I enjoy my job and I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing every season.
“I’ll see how it unfolds, I just want to try and be consistent week in and week out and hopefully that will keep the winners ticking over.”
Grylls was in hot demand throughout 2024/25 with 799 rides earning more than $6 million in prize money and he was appreciative of his widespread support.
“I’ve got a very good base of trainers that I ride for, both up here and in the Central Districts so I’m lucky to ride for most stables,” he said.
The title aside, Grylls was proud of his efforts to post another personal best tally of 15 winners at Group or Listed level.
“I have been very fortunate to get on some really good horses in the last few seasons,” he said.
His highlight was his association with dominant filly Leica Lucy that culminated in their Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) victory.
Trained by his long-time friend Robbie Patterson, Grylls and the daughter of Derryn had won four stakes events on the bounce before landing the Trentham feature.
“She’s definitely the one, obviously a quality animal and it was more relief than anything when she won the Oaks, Robbie’s a great mate and supporter,” he said.
Grylls will be in action at Saturday meeting at Ruakākā where he has six rides.
He rated them all each way chances and leaned toward Unwritten in the Ruakaka Beach Front Motel Maiden (1200m) as perhaps his best winning hope.
Trained by Donna Logan, she followed up a trial victory to give a strong account of herself for third on debut at Avondale last month. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
