Rockhampton Racing Review: Friday 31st July, 2026

RJC 2025/26 Premiership Winners announced

Friday’s meeting at Callaghan Park wrapped up the 2025/26 racing season, and in turn, the Premiership Winners have been announced.

Local rider Warwick Satherley had the Jockey Premiership all but won heading into the meeting, starting Friday’s meeting three wins clear of his nearest rival, Chris McIver.

After guiding Jungle Rhythm to victory in Race 1, Ryan Wiggins joined McIver on 18 wins.

In the apprentice race, Nikki Olzard started proceedings one win clear of Stephanie Tierney, who got close to evening up the ledger early in the day, riding back-to-back seconds in the opening two races.

It didn’t take long for Satherley to stamp his authority on the rider’s premiership, with Mr Democrat scoring in the third race of the day, to put Satherley four wins in front and secure himself the top gong in Rockhampton’s riding ranks for the season with 22 wins.

The girls battled out Race 4, with Steph Tierney getting the better of her Apprentice Premiership rival, Nikki Olzard, who finished second.

Tierney guided home the well-supported Italian Dancer for her master Stuart Kendrick, landing the prize in the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap by 0.4L over Olzard’s steed, Idhana.

With four races left on the program, Olzard and Tierney sat level on 13 wins each in the Apprentice Premiership, each with three rides left.

They didn’t stay level for long however, as Tierney wasted little time getting back into the winner’s stall, making it a winning double for herself aboard Miss Funny Honey in Race 6. The Stuart Kendrick-trained filly scored a dominant 1.6L victory, over Thee Creek and Triple Spirit.

That victory was enough for Tierney to land the Apprentice Jockey Premiership, finishing the season with 14 wins, one ahead of Nikki Olzard with 13.

Sunshine Coast-based conditioner Stuart Kendrick made it a race-to-race double and a winning treble on the program in Race 7, moving to 20 season wins, as Heartoni (Kayla Johnson) led from start to finish in the 1200m Open Handicap.

Race 7 did also have Horse of the Year repercussions, as co-leaders Tizso Fab and Doubting Eye lined up in search of their fifth win of the season at the eleventh hour.

It wasn’t to be for either horse though, meaning that four horses finished the racing season on four wins each here at Callaghan Park; Tizso Fab, Doubting Eye, Presocratics and Pride Of Venus. A countback will now decide the outright Champion Racehorse for 2025/26.

Clinton Taylor took out the Trainer Premiership once again, finishing the season with 24 wins from 112 starters (21.43%), four clear of Stuart Kendrick.

Congratulations to all Premiership winners this season. Premiership winners will be awarded their winning trophies when the 2026/27 season kicks off at our next meeting on Thursday, August 13.

RJC Racing Liaison Officer, Nick Lloyd