Apprentice jockey Tim Bell will be the Queensland stable rider for Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farm stable

Apprentice jockey Tim bell has been lured by mining tycoon Nathan Tinkler to be the Queensland stable rider for his Patinack Farm stable.

The 18-year-old will be transferring to Tinkler’s stable from his current boss Kelly Schweida.

Bell had only recently switched to Schweida’s stable after beginning his riding career at Tamworth under trainer Sue Grills.

“It was a tough decision but I’ve decided to accept the position as their stable rider (in Queensland),” Bell said.

“I had a number of meetings with Mr Tinkler and the stable is in great order with the number of horses coming through.

“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for a young person like myself.

“There’s a lot of potential in the stable and hopefully it can open up a big career and opportunity for myself.”

Bell will work under trainer John Thompson, who trains for Tinkler on the Gold Coast.

“There’s about 45 horses in work here now and another 60 yearlings are set to come in,” Thompson said.

“In Sydney and Melbourne there’s another 150 yearlings about to start off.”

Thompson is looking forward to having Bell as part of his stable.

“The biggest thing that impressed me most about Tim is that he’s so level-headed and his riding talent speaks for itself,” Thompson said.

“Tim will be our Queensland rider but he can still do outside riding for other trainers and he’ll be allowed to ride work in Brisbane and the Gold Coast if he wants.

“We won’t be tying him down and he’ll get the bulk of our rides in Queensland and we’ll use him whenever he’s required in the south.”

The young jockey has had a riding career that has spanned just three years, but is already making a name for himself as one of the country’s top riders.

Bell has previously turned down offers to ride full-time in Sydney, but couldn’t refuse the lucrative offer to remain in Queensland and ride for Patinack Farm.

“I’ve had to weigh up a lot of things but being so young and being tied to a stable with a great team like Patinack was an offer too good to refuse,” Bell said.

“Sydney probably isn’t right for me at the moment as it’s so cutthroat and Brisbane will probably be my base.

“I took a lot of advice before accepting this role and you only get one chance at it.”