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Craig Kerry
June 25, 2026 — 5:00pm
As president of the NSW Jockeys’ Association, and after more than 29 years of race riding, Kerrin McEvoy enjoys being a mentor for the next generation.
At 45, McEvoy has been competing at the top level longer than many of his rivals at Rosehill on Saturday, including 12 apprentices, have been alive.
“It’s a good bunch of young riders and I enjoy competing with them,” McEvoy said of the group which includes Braith Nock (29 wins) and Siena Grima (25), who are battling for the Sydney apprentices’ title.
“The thing I like about them is they get along with the older group and are not afraid to ask questions, and that’s important as well.
“I enjoy riding against these kids but helping them out as well.”
McEvoy, though, is far from ready to step aside and let the next crop through.
With many of Sydney’s best and most senior jockeys away, the 86-time group 1-winner has a gun book of rides on the WJ McKell Cup program, including five chances at the top of markets on Thursday.
He hopes they can build on his recent success, which came after he missed close to two months with a broken foot from a barrier mishap aboard Lazzura on January 14.
“It’s been nice lately just to get a bit of a roll on and get some support from a number of yards,” he said.
“I was coming off some time off from a broken foot, it’s nice to get some momentum at the back end of the season. The body is feeling good and I’m enjoying going to the races, which is important.
“I still enjoy competing, and love for the horses is what’s important in this game, and that’s still there.
“It’s wonderful to throw your leg over these wonderful animals and the enjoyment is there, and that’s key.
“I’ve always had 100 group 1 wins as a goal, but whether I can get there, I’m not sure, but it’s good to strive for it.
“The key stat I’m proud of is I’ve had a group 1 winner every calendar year since 2000.”
McEvoy reunites with McKell Cup favourite God’s Window ($2.70) after riding him to second and fifth at listed level at the end of last spring. The Chris Waller-trained import has won and finished second over the Randwick mile at his past two starts and steps up to 2000m.
“He’s a very genuine horse,” McEvoy said.
“I remember riding him at Newcastle [in the Beauford] and it wasn’t beaten far by the stablemate Asterix that day.
“He’s got form on ground with a bit of juice in it, which might just suit him on Saturday. He’s had a win and second and a nice mid-prep trial, so he goes there with every chance.”
He has three first-time rides on Tom Charlton-trained chances, including race six favourite King Pedro ($2.40), which was a luckless second last time out. Last-start winners Mr Chaplin (race 10, $6) and Hovland (seven, $4.60) are the others.
“He’s a horse that deserves a win because he’s been running well without getting his head in front,” McEvoy said of King Pedro.
“Up to 2400, even though he hasn’t won over it, I think it should be no problems. I rode him in work Tuesday morning and he gave me the feel of a typical handicap stayer.
“I rode Mr Chaplin and Hovland in work as well, and they seem to have come out of those wins in good order. It’s important they were coming off the track from their work bouncing. It shows Tom has done a good job with them.”
McEvoy is back on Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Sanctified, a $6.50 chance in the ninth which has run top three in four runs this preparation.
“He was good winning at Warwick Farm when Josh [Parr] gave him a good run in transit, and the other day Big Papa was a good winner and he was only a couple of lengths behind him, so I think it looks a nice race for him,” he said.
“He’s another one that might not mind a bit of juice in the ground.”
The track at Rosehill was rated a good 4 on Thursday but rain was forecast.
McEvoy’s other top-rated chance was in the third with David Pfieffer-trained Gorgeous ($4), which has been well-backed in three starts this preparation without winning.
“She’s a So You Think filly and a little bit quirky off her replays, so I think she’s a chance to be ridden a little bit closer in the run from a good draw on Saturday, so we’ll see how it plays out on the day,” he said.
“Dave thinks she’s still a work in progress, still learning her craft, so she can hopefully make amends.”
