Episode 574: Jett Newman - Talented apprentice has topped 100 wins in just thirteen months of race riding
This is the smile that lit up television screens after Jett’s win on Considered at Rosehill in January - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Eighteen year old apprentice Jett Newman had a huge number of trial rides before being signed up by northern rivers trainer Matt Dunn. She debuted in February 2025 with two rides for her boss at a Murwillumbah meeting. The first one ran second, the other Without Parallel led all the way to win. The gifted young jockey hasn’t stopped riding winners since. She brought up the century when Tomba stormed home from a rearward position to win a 3&4YO event at Doomben on March 28th. In January Jett made a huge impact when she had two rides for two wins at a Rosehill Gardens meeting. Both horses were trained by Matt Dunn who’s since kept her away from metropolitan tracks. He wants to preserve her provincial and metro claims for a little longer. Jett talks about her special day Doomben.
She hasn’t had time to reflect on the achievement because she’s been riding all over the place ever since. The apprentice talks about two more wins to come her way at Grafton and on the Gold Coast.
Jett explains that she and her mother Debbie travel daily from Tweed Heads to fulfil commitments for the Dunn stable at Murwillumbah.
She talks about the training talents of Matthew Dunn and the huge team of horses he has in work.
The young jockey says only a handful of trainers use the excellent facilities at Murwillumbah.
Jett recalls her exciting day at Rosehill in January when she had two rides for two wins. She was supported on the day by a strong family cheer squad.
She talks of the tutelage and support offered by her father Mitch Newman, a former successful jockey whose career was thwarted by ongoing weight problems.
Jett says her mother Debbie didn’t pursue an aspiration to become a jockey but continues to enjoy her role as an in demand trackwork rider.
The eighteen year old looks back on early days in pony club and a transition to the show ring. She gives a shout out to two older sisters.
She fondly remembers the first phase of her apprenticeship to former jockey Claire Lever at Hawkesbury. Claire’s husband Chad was also a valued tutor.
Jett recalls her exciting first day at the races as a professional jockey. She had two rides at Murwillumbah - the first one Torque of Dreams ran second, two races later she led all the way to win on Without Parallel.
She talks about a handy bush horse who gave her a hat trick of wins on the Ipswich track.
Jett says she’s been inspired by high profile female jockeys Rachel King and Jamie Melham who between them struck the Doncaster/Derby double at Randwick on April 4th.
The jockey is aware she enjoys a rare luxury in being able to ride at a featherweight.
Jett looked poised and polished as she went past the post on Considered 17/01/2026 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Dad Mitch and Mum Debbie led the cheer squad at Rosehill in January - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Second ride second win at Rosehill in January. Jett led all the way to win on Band Of Brothers - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
There’s nothing like a Rosehill double to generate a smile. Dad Mitch wasn’t exactly hiding his delight either - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Jett brought Tomba with a barnstorming run to grab the leaders on the line at Doomben - her 100th career win - courtesy Trackside Photography.
This was the win that propelled Jett into the centurion ranks - courtesy Trackside Photography.
