Son of a gun Zac Lloyd feels a Group 1 triumph is the only thing missing from his resume, but Dad Jeff says he is even more proud of how his boy is a Group 1 performer off the track.
Champion Sydney apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd, 20, can nail his first Group 1 when riding lightweight three-year-old filly Stefi Magnetica for Bjorn Baker in the $3m Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Jeff, a former star jockey who won Group 1s around the world, is Zac’s manager and mentor and said his boy was always destined to be a jockey.
He felt a Group 1 Stradbroke win would lift Zac’s young career to a new level – but insisted there were more important things.
“It obviously would be a great moment, if Zac could win his first Group 1,” Jeff said.
Zac Lloyd can nail his first Group 1, aboard Stradbroke Handicap contender Stefi Magnetica. Picture: Michael McInally / Racing Queensland.
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“But it’s not all about winning Group 1s.
“It’s about how you conduct yourself and I am more proud of Zac’s work ethic and how well he conducts himself.
“Zac has wanted to be a jockey for his whole life. He used to even get in my (riding) gear when he was a toddler.
“I always thought he would make it as a jockey.
Jeff and Zac Lloyd, before Jeff retired from riding. Picture: Nicola Lloyd.
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“I knew what he was like in whatever sport he played, cricket or rugby, he always gave his best and he was successful.
“He was a naturally balanced person in all of his sport and that’s just so important in riding.
“He always wanted to get better in everything he did, he is always asking questions in racing.”
Zac Lloyd on the running track when he was a boy. Pictures: Nicola Lloyd
Jeff won’t be at Eagle Farm on Saturday – he feels that he sees more watching the races on TV than being at the track.
For South African-born Zac, though, joining the Group 1 club could be a life-changing moment.
Zac sensed how big a Stradbroke win could be – he watched close family friend and now retired jockey Robbie Fradd score the Stradbroke on Tyzone in 2020.
And he is keen to join fellow young gun Sydney jockeys Dylan Gibbons and Tyler Schiller with a Group 1 to his name.
Zac Lloyd on the rugby field as a child. Picture: Nicola Lloyd
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“I am good friends with Tyler and Dylan and they keep winning them (Group 1s), I am a step behind them,” Zac Lloyd said.
“I’ve done most of the things I wanted to accomplish in my apprenticeship and added a few things, like winning a Bart Cummings medal, but winning a Group 1 is missing.
“A Group 1 is probably the one thing that is missing from my resume at the moment.
“I would love to get it in my apprenticeship and I feel like, in some way, it would complete my apprenticeship.
“My parents have been a great support to me, although they don’t go to the races very often.
“Dad says he sees more watching on TV at home anyway.”
Zac Lloyd when he was a kid. Picture: Nicola Lloyd
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Saturday’s Stradbroke will be a homecoming of sorts for Zac, given he started his riding career in Queensland as an apprentice to Toby Edmonds.
In recent times, Zac has been working for the Godolphin Blue Army, mentored by the likes of trainer James Cummings and legendary former jockey Darren Beadman.
But it was riding for Edmonds where a young Lloyd cut his teeth. In November 2020, he had his first race rides at Dalby, 200km west of Brisbane.
The then-17-year-old made a perfect start to his riding career when he got home aboard the $1.30 favourite Satine.
But later on, he ended up on his backside when he came off hot favourite Palicki, who jumped awkwardly.
A young Zac Lloyd gets his hands on Dad Jeff’s whip and cap. Picture: Nicola Lloyd
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Edmonds said he has always felt that Zac had been destined for success.
“Zac has a great support crew and he has been with Godolphin, where Darren Beadman is in the background,” Edmonds said.
“If he doesn’t get success, I don’t know who will – he’s just that type of kid.
“Zac was always very bright when he was at school and I like that in a young jockey, because they can make decisions quickly.
“His Dad taught him to ride on ponies and then when he came to me to be our apprentice and you could see from day one he was going to be talented and he was going to be able to ride light.”
Zac Lloyd on the footy field in his childhood days. Picture: Nicola Lloyd
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Zac will be aiming to walk in Fradd’s shoes as a Stradbroke winner – and Fradd believed the young jockey had the right horse for the job.
Stefi Magnetica will carry the featherweight of 50kg in the Stradbroke.
“I have always said that you can get away with a few things when you are riding lightweights,” Fradd said.
“You can make a bit of a longer run than you could carrying 56 (kg) or something.
“Zac was so great at school, getting As in everything, and so I wondered whether he would follow in his father’s footsteps and be a jockey.
“I have no doubt that Zac will make it.
“He has the hunger, the dedication and he always sets himself goals.
“And he is a hell of a good kid. When it comes to work, he is highly disciplined.
“He certainly won’t go out and party if he’s got work the next day.”
Stefi Magnetica is an $11 chance to give Zac Lloyd his first Group 1.
Lloyd’s task was made tougher when Stefi Magnetica drew gate 19 at the barrier draw function in Brisbane’s King George Square on Tuesday night.