Sam Clipperton would have been quietly chuffed to win a race for his former master Ron Quinton - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

There was a smattering of deja vu attached to Sam Clipperton’s win on Signor Tortoni in Saturday’s Queen Bee Project Sprint at Rosehill Gardens. The talented jockey’s services have been sought by a wide range of trainers since his return to the saddle last November, but his former master Ron Quinton hasn’t been among them. “Sam offered to ride some work for me when he resumed but I have only eighteen horses in work and three capable trackwork riders,” said the legendary horseman. “There hadn’t been an opportunity to put him on until this race came along on Saturday. Jason Collett won on the horse at Warwick Farm recently and obviously had first call but preferred to ride Arriving Home for Bjorn Baker. I felt Sam would get on well with the horse, and I was happy to give him the ride.”

Quinton was right. Clipperton and Signor Tortoni got on famously in the 1100m BM78, settling in third spot from the inside gate behind the speedy Hezdarnhottoo and Polyglot. Runlikenencryption (can these racehorse names get any longer) was handy with Sweethearted caught wide. J. Mac’s mount Eagle Express was locked up on the fence at the 600m and was denied clear galloping space from that point on. Clipperton was held up on Signor Tortoni for some time after straightening and was one relieved jockey when Polyglot started to drift out at the 200m leaving a tantalising gap. The huge gelding took fifty metres to hit top gear before bursting between the leaders to put the opposition away quickly.

Signor Tortoni was strong on the line in winning at Rosehill. Jockeys were wearing black armbands on the day as a mark of respect to the Late Stephen Parr who had passed away a few days earlier - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

This is where the deja vu comes in. Not only had Sam Clipperton won a metro race for his former master, tutor and friend but he’d made it happen on the very track where they’d combined to win the Gr 1 Coolmore Classic with Peeping just weeks short of a decade ago - one of Quinton’s celebrated quartet of wins in the prestigious fillies and mare’s contest.

Clipperton’s battle with “burn-out” in late 2024 was well documented. The five time Gr 1 winning jockey felt compelled to walk away from racing and to a new career as a stock and station agent in the Hunter Valley. Few were surprised when the racing bug bit again in November of last year propelling him onto the comeback trail. His weight is currently under control, his enthusiasm is almost out of control and his focus is intense. Trainers haven’t forgotten that Sam Clipperton has ridden 650 winners, including five Gr 1’s and 64 other stakes races. Memories are vivid of his nine wins on the ill-fated Think About It including victories in the Gr 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, the Gr 1 Stradbroke Hcp and the 2023 Everest which at the time was still awaiting Gr 1 endorsement.

Ron and Sam at Canterbury after a win with Media Starguest in 2022 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Signor Tortoni’s win continues Ron Quinton’s sixty year connection with successful breeders Sandy Tait and his sister Jill Nivison. Jill retains a share in this son of Too Darn Hot, but Sandy elected to hand over his part of the ownership to son Olly in recognition of services rendered. Olly Tait actually foaled and reared Signor Tortoni on his well known Twin Hills Stud at Cootamundra. Ron recalls having a handful of rides during his apprenticeship for Sandy’s parents Griff and Daisy Tait and has never forgotten his association with the family’s high profile performer Baguette.

“He was getting ready for the 1970 Golden Slipper when I had my first ride on him against older horses in a Flying Welter at Canterbury,” recalled Ron. “There were no lead up races to the Slipper in those days and he had to follow in the footsteps of Todman and Fine And Dandy who’d won open races before their Slipper wins. George Moore couldn’t get anywhere near Baguette’s weight of 50kgs, and I got the call. I remember spotting a very smart older mare called Deloptic about four lengths into the straight. He picked her up for fun and won by over two lengths. I was hoping George Moore might go missing on Slipper day, but he was there and Baguette won easily.

An oldie from the Bradley archives! A very young Ron Quinton returns to scale on Baguette after the colt's win against older horses as a 2YO 11/02/1970 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

“I got to ride him in the Hobartville Stakes at his next preparation and that acceleration was there again as he exploded past a good horse called Zambari to win easily. I was taken off after getting beaten on him in the Canterbury Guineas but rode him a few times later in his career. In fact, I won a Canterbury Stakes on him when he was a four year old. I got to wear those famous Tait colours of red with a white cap many times later when Neville Begg took over from the retiring Fil Allotta. A couple of nice horses to come to mind are Of Two Cities and Fiancee who won many races between them. You can imagine what a thrill it was to see the red with the white cap flash past the post on Saturday.”

Signor Tortoni's "uncle" Tie The Knot in one of 13 Gr. 1 victories - the 1999 Sydney Cup by a thumping 6 lengths - courtesy Steve Hart.

Signor Tortoni’s dam Tortoni didn’t put her name up in lights in four race starts but was hindered it seems by a breathing difficulty. She saved herself from total ignominy by winning a Wagga maiden in October 2013 with Nick Souquet in the saddle. The mare’s pedigree was one component in Sandy Tait’s decision to send her to the breeding barn. Tortoni was by Strategic, a son of Zeditave and a very tidy performer on the track. In fact, he was the winner of seven races from eighteen starts with six of them at stakes level including the Gr 1 Australia Stakes (since downgraded to Gr 2). Tortoni’s dam Whisked had carried the red and white to three wins including the Gr 1 Thousand Guineas. Her nine placings included a second to Weekend Delight in the VRC Oaks.

Sandy was also influenced by the fact that Whisked was a daughter of Nijinsky’s son Whiskey Road, so well known as the sire of the outstanding Strawberry Road. Tortoni was the last of thirteen foals produced by Whisked and had to be reared as a “poddy” when the grand old mare was lost soon after giving birth. Fashionable pedigree aside, easily the most dominant factor in Sandy’s decision to breed on with Tortoni is the fact that she happened to be a half sister to the remarkable Tie the Knot. Under the expert guidance of the late Guy Walter, this son of Nassipour won 21 races including 13 Gr 1’s for a cool $6.2 million.

Not surprisingly Tortoni has gone on to produce six winners to date including the aforementioned Signor Tortoni. She’s also the dam of:

Cherry Tortoni (6 wins including two at listed level, one at Gr 2 and a close second in the Australian Guineas.)
Wings Of Song - (8 wins including Tasmanian Guineas, Hobart 1000 Guineas, Tasmanian Oaks, and Gr 3 Morphettville Auraria Stakes).
Jenny Jerome - (4 wins and Gr 3 placed).
Torsiton (1 win at Wagga).
Cafe Tortoni (6 Victorian wins).

Ron Quinton believes Signor Tortoni is just now coming into his own. “His sheer size discouraged us from doing too much too early,” said Ron. “He didn’t race as a two year old and didn’t win until his fifth start at Gosford last June when he led and got around the tight track surprisingly well. Then came a win at Canterbury on a Heavy 8 followed soon after by a Midway win at Randwick on a Heavy 10. Punters should make a note of his ability to get through heavy ground. We gave him a break after that Randwick win.

“On resuming he trialled well on two occasions before lining up in a BM78 at Randwick and this one left us scratching our heads. Admittedly he covered extra ground but got beaten ten lengths and wasn’t interested at all. A thorough vet inspection the next day found nothing. We gave him an easy fortnight before giving him a quiet trial which he happened to win comfortably, and then we checked him thoroughly again. He was faultless. It was just one of those mystery failures that horses can put in from time to time. He’s had two starts since for two very good wins. We still don’t know what went wrong at Randwick. That’s racing.”

Signor Tortoni (Jason Collett) wins a BM72 at Warwick Farm 04/02/2026 - the fourth of his five wins to date - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

It’s a commonly held belief that Ron has more than emulated the deeds of his famous boss Theo Green as a master tutor of apprentices. The Quinton influence has impacted the careers of riders like Hugh Bowman, Mark Newnham, Mitch Newman, Bobby El-Issa, Brad Pengelly, Mitchell Bell, Scott Pollard, Sam Clipperton, Andrew Adkins, Nozi Tomizawa, Travis Wolfgram, and Taylor Marshall who spent all or part of their apprenticeships with the eight time Sydney premiership winner.

Ron is currently tutoring apprentice Matt Kirk who’s getting close to his first race ride. “I’m very happy with his progress to date,” says Ron. “He’s a very good trackwork rider and has done everything right in his barrier trials. We’ve got to sort out the right horses to get him under way. Everybody at the stable looks forward to his debut. It’s an exciting time for any budding jockey. Once he’s riding in races it’s all about hard work and dedication. Short cuts are not an option”

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