By Andrew Mole
SWAN Hill trainer Nathan Hobson has used a little hard love with his star apprentice Madison Lloyd, and transferred her apprenticeship papers to the McEvoy stables in Ballarat.
Hobson said her papers were finalised at Flemington last week because he wanted to see his talented apprentice advance her career.
Something, that could, or would, be difficult if she was to continue being based at Swan Hill.
“It’s very exciting news and it’s great for Madison because being based here it’s hard to develop that link with the big city stables,” Hobson said.
“So she went to Ballarat for three months and got a bit of a feel for the place; and got a lot of support from Tony (McEvoy) during that time, so hopefully everything goes well for her and she finishes her career with them.
“The new arrangement is she does another three months with McEvoys on loan; and if that works out, she stays there.”
Hobson said her time at his stables had been a great experience for everyone on his team.
“We really miss her badly in the mornings, along with her happy-go-lucky attitude, but this is the best for her career, and we only want the best for her,” he said.
“And I think it is the right decision – to be involved with a big city stable and getting plenty of city winners.”
But Hobson’s best intentions initially panicked Lloyd when he pulled her aside at a recent Horsham race meeting and said he needed to speak to her about her time in Ballarat.
“I thought he was going to tell me he wanted me to come back to Swan Hill,” Lloyd laughed.
“And as much as I loved that role, and as grateful as I am to Nathan for giving me my start and now helping to further along my career, I didn’t want to go back.
“When he told me he actually wanted me to stay with the McEvoys in Ballarat I was so excited – and relieved.
“My time here has been great, but we have 80 horses in the Ballarat stables, and they are all such amazing animals.
“It means a lot more track work and trials but it also means riding fantastic horses in big city races.
“And because the McEvoys also have a big operation in South Australia, if things are quiet here at any time, I can always duck over there and do some riding – COVID notwithstanding.”
Lloyd said she cannot thank Nathan Hobson enough for starting and supporting her career, and for making the decision about giving her the best shot at a being a jockey.
“That sort of generosity is hard to match; and I will always be grateful to Nathan for suggesting it.”
