The proud Mum of history-making Brisbane jockey Angela Jones says there was no talking her daughter out of a career in racing, despite the family’s initial apprehension.
Julie Nedelkovski was the happiest woman at Eagle Farm on Saturday as the feats of her record-breaking daughter were celebrated.
Angela Jones went where no female jockey had ever gone before when she claimed the recently finished Brisbane jockeys’ premiership, warding off great mate and top apprentice jockey Emily Lang.
Unlike many jockeys, Jones comes from a family with no racing background.
READ: Jones’ remarkable journey from the outback
Growing up in the Queensland bush, Jones decided she wanted to try to pursue a career as a jockey but had to talk her Mum and the rest of her family into it.
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“We were worried about the dangers of horse racing, we love her so much and we didn’t want her to be in any danger,” Nedelkovski said.
“We didn’t know much about the whole industry and we were a bit worried.
“I was very cautious, because of the danger aspect.
“But Angela was very determined and she held her ground.
“She is very easy going but when she wants to do something, there is no stopping her.”
READ: Orman praises Jones after ‘deserving’ title success
Nedelkovski, who now lives in Toowoomba, said her daughter had a “real connection with horses” right from the time she first sat on horseback.
The family – which was initially cautious about Jones becoming a jockey – now gets a huge thrill when they tune into the horse racing coverage to watch her ride.
But as proud as Mum is of her daughter’s riding, she is even prouder at the way the young jockey conducts herself off the track.
Jones is engaged to be married to fellow jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor who often tells the family what a jockey star she is.
“She is so humble – she never plays herself up, she never promotes her ability,” Nedelkovski said.
“It’s other people who tell me that, Kyle will tell me how good she is.
“But you never hear that from her.”
It was a thrilling end to the Brisbane premiership season with Jones clinging onto a two-win margin over champion apprentice Lang in the city riding premiership.
They were also interesting times for champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan, seeing as both jockeys are key riders for him.
“I certainly didn’t favour one of them over the other one in the last couple of months of the season,” Gollan said.
“I just tried to get them on the right horses which suited both of them.
“I am very lucky to have both of these young ladies riding for my stable.”
The star young female jockeys took part in an autograph signing session at Eagle Farm on Saturday, engaging the next generation of racing fans at a families’ day at the Brisbane racetrack.
Originally published as Angela Jones’ Mum as proud as punch over history-making feats in claiming Queensland jockeys’ premiership