One of Australian sport’s biggest earners will ride the Everest favourite. Most people have never heard of him

22 hours ago 1

He is one of Australia’s richest sportspeople, but many non-racing fans won’t have heard of him.

On Saturday, he’ll be at Royal Randwick chasing another big payday in the $20 million The Everest.

When it comes to Australia’s biggest earners, the conversation turns to golfers Cam Smith and Marc Leishman (whose sign-on fees with LIV Golf were about $140 million and $30 million respectively), Oscar Piastri (whose deal with McLaren is worth $41 million), NBA star Josh Giddey (who signed a four-year, $150 million deal with the Chicago Bulls), and Jordan Mailata (who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of the year, then inked a three-year, $100 million contract extension).

Then there is Zac Purton, who will ride Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising.

The cocky kid from the NSW Mid North Coast has now been based in Hong Kong for 18 years, where he has earned more than $70 million.

The past few years have been especially lucrative: his earnings have hovered around $5 million a season due to his standing in the game and ability to attract the best rides.

Zac Purton will ride Ka Ying Rising in The Everest

Jockeys earn 10 per cent of the prizemoney in Hong Kong when they finish first, and collect more than $200 for every ride, regardless of where their horse finishes.

There is also the favourable 16 per cent tax rate in Hong Kong, accommodation and cars paid for by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and what is known as “lucky money”, which is a bonus paid to jockeys by cashed-up owners for winning big races. In some instances, riders have received apartments in overseas cities, including London, as a reward.

Purton knows he is in a fortunate position to be riding in Hong Kong, and even more so that he is sitting on the back of what is now regarded as the best sprinter on the planet, Ka Ying Rising.

Should Ka Ying Rising win The Everest at Randwick on Saturday, Purton will earn 5 per cent of the $7 million first prize purse, which equates to $350,000 for 70 seconds’ work. Some NRL players earn that for slaving away all season.

Zac Purton puts Ka Ying Rising through his paces last week.

Then again, unlike NRL players, Purton is putting his life on the line every time he goes to work. Few people begrudge jockeys and the money they make because of the dangers that come with the profession.

“Basically, everything I earn I get to keep,” Purton said. “The money is great, but I came to Hong Kong to test myself against the best riders in the world.

“I did that, then fell in love with the racing, fell in love with the lifestyle, and then wanted to keep going to be as successful as I could.

“I’ve now broken a few records, including the most winners in a season, and set a record for the most winners ever ridden by a jockey in Hong Kong.

“You sit back and look at your financial position, and think to yourself, ‘I’ve done everything here. Is it time to go back to Australia?’

“But the financial sacrifices you’d have to make by doing that, the smarter option was to stay in Hong Kong.

“I’m not thinking about me, I’m thinking about my wife, Nicole, our kids [daughter Roxy, 11, and son Cash, eight]. The more we can help them move forward, the easier it will be for everyone.”

Purton had planned to retire at 40. His body was hurting from the regular riding and wasting to keep his weight down, and he required countless painkillers for his hip.

Then his biggest rival, João Moreira, left Hong Kong, and Purton found himself in even greater demand. It was difficult to turn his back on.

Ka Ying Rising owner Leung Shek-kong with Zac Purton.

Then along came Ka Ying Rising.

“I was in so much pain, especially with the hip, and I was actually overriding,” he said. “I’d done what I wanted to do and was going to retire. But along came Ka Ying Rising. He’s actually kept me going. It’s much easier waking up each day knowing you’ve got a horse like him to go to the races with.

“I’m not sure how much longer I’ll keep riding. [Legendary Irish jockey] Mick Kinane retired when Sea The Stars did.

“I’ve gone a bit longer than I thought I would. I won’t be riding when there is a five in front of my age.

“I’m enjoying it while I can.

“We’re coming to Australia on Saturday, and we’d love to show everyone how good this horse is.

“If he’s at his best he should be good enough to win. Only a victory will be enough for us. Running second or third won’t cut it.”

Even in the twilight of his career, Purton still knows how to get the best out of his horses. He knows Ka Ying Rising makes mistakes, and has a terrible habit of getting on to the “wrong leg”, which is when a horse leads with his left leg, not his right, when racing in Sydney’s clockwise direction. But he would not swap him.

James McDonald, who is based in Sydney, is widely regarded as the greatest on the planet, and will ride Joliestar in The Everest, said of Purton: “Zac is a very aggressive jockey, he’s relentless and, tactically, he’s incredibly savvy. He’s as good as you get.”

Purton plans to eventually move the family back to Sydney. There is no appetite to train horses. The ultimate dream is to enjoy a round of golf and one day shoot even par.

He snuck in a round at NSW Golf Club last week after he trialled Ka Ying Rising. His golf game needs work. At least his riding is paying off.