Jockey turned trucker makes winning return to saddle after 25-year absence

A jockey who last had a winner in the 1993-94 season and subsequently became a 85kg truck driver living in New South Wales remarkably returned to the sport on Thursday with a winner in New Zealand.

Malcolm Hill, 53, lost more than 30kg to ride his first winner in over a quarter of a century at Tauherenikau on He's A Gold Digger – a horse he owns and trains himself.

Like many a youngster in the sport Hills tried to pursue his riding dream. He rode 43 winners in his native New Zealand before moving to Australia – but only managed eight winners in Darwin. His last winner came in the 1993/94 season and he ended up as a 85kg (13st 4lb) truck driver living in New South Wales.

With his parents ageing Hill decided to move back to his home town of Whanganui. "Mum and Dad are in their 80s and I wanted to be closer to them," he explained.

Hill rode his magical winner at TauherenikauCredit: Tauherenikau racecourse

Old habits die hard and back home he found himself down at the local track with friends. Hill, who was trying to get fit, had already lost a stone and asked local trainer Jo Rathbone whether she needed a rider. She said she would see what she could do.

"Some mates started telling me about amateur races and I thought that sounded good so I set myself a goal to get one of those licences," said Hill.

"And I started dieting. I cut out all carbs and eat mainly fruit and nuts and some protein, like fish or chicken. I don't starve myself. I still have three meals a day until I am full but the key thing is keeping active. You got to expend more energy than you take on board.

"And you have to do it gradually and be consistent. I reckon it has taken me nine months to get from that 78kgs first day back at the track to 52.5-53kgs now."

He began riding in jumpouts (unofficial trial races) and once he was down to a riding weight Hill knew he needed a horse. With opportunities scarce for any rider, let alone one whose weight and age are the same number, he decided sourcing one himself would be easier than convincing anyone to give him a chance - so he spent "I think $A6,250" on a three-year-old Deep Field gelding and named him He's A Gold Digger.

"I thought he was cheap and he is a lovely horse. Probably suited to a one-man trainer," said Hill. But that would require a trainer's licence and while applying Hill figured he should ask for a jockey's licence while he was at it.

He got both and that led to Thursday, when the jockey who had not ridden a winner for 26 years headed to Tauherenikau 30kg lighter and ready for another spin in the saddle. He was the incredibly proud owner, trainer and jockey of He's A Gold Digger.

To complete the fairytale he then went and won. Officially by 0.8 of a length, but Hill knew his horse had speed and adopted point and shoot tactics. First placed prize-money for the five furlong maiden was the same as He's A Gold Digger had cost. Hill was delighted.

"He is a lovely horse and just needed to learn to relax, but it was bloody amazing," he said. "To be out there and winning again. I had dreamt of something like this and I still can't believe it happened. I love it. I am still buzzing now."

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