Episode 599: Bella Youngberry - Dual Gold Coast premiership winner away to a flying start in new season.

Sep 29

Bella’s winning smile has become a familiar sight on Queensland tracks in the last couple of years - courtesy Trackside Photography.

A history making feat by Angela Jones to win the 2024/2025 Brisbane jockey’s premiership has been a source of inspiration to female riders around the nation. Twenty year old Bella Youngberry created her own little piece of history last season by becoming the first female rider to win both the junior and senior Gold Coast premierships. She has carried the momentum into the new season and is currently a handful of wins in front of Ben Thompson on the Brisbane metro ladder. Bella’s story is similar to that of many female jockeys in Australia - pony club, show ring and a gradual transition to riding trackwork. Initially apprenticed to Allan Chau, Bella subsequently spent time on loan-outs to Mel and Billy Johnson at Barcaldine, and Brett Bellamy at Coffs Harbour. She’s currently back on the Gold Coast with Adam Campton who supports her well, as do an increasing number of Brisbane metro trainers. It’s a delight to welcome Bella Youngberry to this week’s podcast. She begins by talking about the short suspension she’s currently serving.

Bella still can’t believe she was a dual premiership winner last season and is excited to be a front runner on the metro ladder in the early part of the current term.

The young jockey is acutely aware things will get tougher when her city and provincial claims dry up.

Bella pays tribute to her father Garry Youngberry, one of the most familiar faces on Queensland television. Garry has been totally supportive from the moment he identified his daughter’s passion for thoroughbreds.

She talks of her only sibling brother Marcus who to this point in time has concentrated on another form of horse power.

Bella talks about the 50 acre property outside Brisbane where a quarter horse mare first triggered the adrenaline rush only a full stretch gallop can bring to a budding jockey. She also pays tribute to an off-track racehorse who quickly mastered the show jumping art.

She clearly remembers the moment she announced her intention to enter the racing industry. Her plan was to finish her education online while she learned the fundamentals in a Sunny Coast racing stable. Garry Youngberry was taken aback at first.

Bella says she was hooked on race riding from her very first track gallop for trainer Darryl Hansen.

The twenty year old looks back on her initial indentureship to former successful jockey Allan Chau on the Gold Coast. She vividly recalls her first race ride at Gympie and the thrill of her first win at Thangool in the Burnett River country.

Bella says her regular trips to country tracks brought her to the notice of Barcaldine trainer Billy Johnson who offered her a “loan-out” opportunity. She jumped at the chance.

She says the experience of riding on bush tracks against seasoned bush jockeys was a great learning curve.

Bella says she’d no sooner arrived back at the Chau stables when another opportunity arose with Brett Bellamy at Coffs Harbour. She looks back on the next few months as the most valuable of her career so far.

She pays tribute to current master Adam Campton who’s made quite a statement since joining the Gold Coast training ranks just over four years ago.

Bella talks about the highlights of her recent winning trot on city tracks including two Doomben trebles.

She acknowledges the influence of trailblazing jockey Angela Jones.

This is a laid back chat with a young lady whose emergence in Queensland racing has been spectacular. Good times ahead for Bella Youngberry.