DYLAN GIBBONS HAS EARNED HIS SPOT IN THE POWERFUL SYDNEY RIDING RANKS

Dylan Gibbons returns to scale on Brave One after his win at Newcastle on Hunter day - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

It was just another day at the office for jockey Dylan Gibbons as he left the mounting enclosure on a maidener called Whatever It Takes for the opening race at Port Macquarie on October 11th last year. Perhaps he was thinking about the instructions given by trainer Grady Spokes when the seven year old gelding suddenly ducked his head and launched into an out of control bucking exhibition. “I felt something give way in my left shoulder the second he dropped his head,” recalled Dylan. “I was too distressed to ride the horse and he was immediately scratched by the stewards. Obviously, I had to give up several later rides at the meeting.”

Back home in Newcastle the following day the young jockey was an early arrival at the nearest radiology centre where preliminary x/rays and ultrasound tests revealed nothing of concern. A handful of physiotherapy sessions relieved the associated soreness, and within a few days Gibbons made the call to continue riding. “It didn’t take long to give me trouble again,” he said. “Every now and again I’d feel a catching sensation. I found out later the shoulder was actually dislocating, popping in and out. I realise now I was making things much worse.

A special moment for the young jockey - Dylan is introduced to the crowd before riding Buenos Noches in the 2023 Everest - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

“I went right through to Melbourne Cup day at Randwick where I had three unplaced rides. Further CT and MRI scans revealed noticeable damage, and specialists recommended a full shoulder reconstruction. I was pretty devastated but knew I had little choice. The surgery went without a hitch and so did the rehabilitation. I followed every piece of medical advice and spent a lot of time on my Peloton Bike, a stationary device which blends exercise with touch screen technology. The biggest benefit was to my legs. Most jockeys returning from injury struggle to regain leg strength, but the Peloton Bike helped me through that problem while helping to keep my weight under control at the same time.”

As a member of Sydney’s ferociously competitive riding ranks, the last thing Dylan needed was a lengthy stint on the sidelines, but he was also conscious of the foolhardiness of a premature return. It was early March when he finally picked up the threads of a career which had done nothing but blossom since his first win on Ocean Ruler at Coffs Harbour just over five years ago. It took only a handful of rides before Devil’s Daughter gave him that all important comeback win in a maiden on Wellington Boot day. Ironically, he was there for two fancied rides for the Bjorn Baker stable, both of which finished out of a place. Devil’s Daughter, a “pick-up” ride from the Paul and Martha Cave stable, flashed home from a rearward position to propel her young rider back into the winner’s circle.

Despite the lengthy hiatus Dylan finished the 2024/2025 season with 22 NSW winners including 13 in town. His all the way win on Brave One in the last of ten races on Hunter day at Newcastle puts him on 33 NSW winners for the current season including a dozen in town. Brave One was one of eight rides for Gibbons on Saturday at the location he got to know well, during his very happy and fruitful apprenticeship with Kris Lees. Three of his rides were for his former master who continues to support him on a regular basis. Only last week the duo combined for a very impressive Cl 1 win with Calga Power at Gosford - a win the gelding should soon replicate.

Dylan with former master Kris Lees after a win with Brudenell at Rosehill in 2023 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Dylan has a healthy regard for the lightly raced four year old Brave One, a horse he’s now ridden four times for three wins and a second. He made good use of his favourable draw in Saturday’s strong BM 94 event but didn’t appear anxious to lead until Tommy Berry on Fire Star literally handed up after going 100 metres. Brave One travelled sweetly to the turn where he led from Mayfair, Fire Star, Bojangles and Midnight Opal. Mayfair looked a serious threat on straightening but Brave One dropped him at the 200m and looked the winner at that point. He safely held Fire Star in the run to the line with Xidaki closing off strongly for third. Dylan speaks glowingly of the winner as did Michael Hawkes in his post race interview on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

Brave One was safely holding Fire Star and Xidaki (inside) on the line in Saturday's BM 94 at Newcastle - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Rides from the Team Hawkes yard are the result of Dylan’s attendance for trackwork duties at Rosehill one morning a week. The jockey also devotes a morning to the O’Shea/Charlton stable and another to the busy Bjorn Baker operation at Warwick Farm. “I try to maintain a regular routine with trackwork so that trainers know when to expect you,” said Dylan. “We also have a busy barrier trial schedule in Sydney and I’m riding at three race meetings per week. The constant activity keeps my weight in check and most times I can manage the limit or very close to it. I rode Infancy at 53kgs in The Hunter on Saturday. I’m blessed to be able to ride so light given my height of 175 cm or 5’9” under the old scale. I’ve been very weight conscious ever since I started in the business and I won’t be changing.”

On completing his apprenticeship Dylan continued to live at Newcastle with his partner Nevada Mansfield, but opted for a move to Sydney when offers started to emerge from some of the major metropolitan stables. He was unable to have a presence at places like Randwick, Rosehill and Warwick Farm from a Newcastle base. As things have turned out the relocation has also helped Nevada in her pursuit of a career in equine physiotherapy. She works full time for the in demand practitioner Tom Simpson whose “PhysioTom” operation has earned regular patronage from leading trainers in Sydney and interstate.

In just five years of race riding Dylan Gibbons has already posted an impressive 445 wins including two Gr 1’s and fourteen others at black type level. His first at the elite level came in the 2023 Sydney Cup on the Maher/Eustace trained Explosive Jack. He showed composure beyond his years when still a long way off the leader coming over the rise. He could barely contain his excitement when Explosive Jack grabbed True Marvel in the shadows of the post before drawing clear to win by just under a length. Less than a year later Dylan notched his second Gr 1 when the Kris Lees trained Kalapour tracked two leaders into the straight before going on to win the Tancred Stakes from the Waller trained More Felons.

 Dylan was thrilled to win the 2024 Gr. 1 Tancred Stakes on Kalapour for Kris Lees - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Young Gibbons doesn’t take for granted the privilege of having as his mentor and sounding board his father Andrew Gibbons. The elder Gibbons rode the first of his 1426 winners in 1994, and continues to ply his trade at Newcastle, Hunter Valley and North Coast tracks. Andrew’s finest achievement came in the 2019/2020 season when he was champion NSW jockey with 124 wins which put him in fifth spot on the Australian ladder. A fit and strong 48 year old, Andrew has always followed a disciplined regime and continues to have his weight under control at all times. He’s intensely proud of the fact that Dylan has observed the same kind of dedication. No dad can do more than set the example and hope his advice isn’t falling on deaf ears. This kid has been listening intently ever since the day his father first put him on a pony at a Hunter Valley riding school.

Dylan was on strapping duties when this one was taken with his father Andrew at Newcastle in 2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.