Shane Dye’s return to riding unspectacular

Shane Dye’s low key return to race riding was unspectacular with his mount Goyescas finishing in seventh position in a Maiden at Matamata in New Zealand today.

Dye was having his first ride for almost two years since fading out of the jockey ranks after riding successfully in Mauritius following a lucrative stint in Hong Kong.

But Dye said that he has now regained the desire to ride again after losing the passion while riding in Mauritius.

“I just lost my desire to ride,” Dye said.

“I’d been doing it for 30 years and I needed a break. I had just won the premiership in Mauritius and I was leading it again when I lost that desire.

“Then I had a couple of years off and one day I woke up and realised I missed riding again. So I decided to ease my way back into it, see if I liked it.

“I’ve been riding trackwork since August and ridden in lots of barrier trials and I’m really enjoying my riding again.”

At the height of his career Dye rode the winners of most of the biggest races on the Australian racing calendar including four Golden Slippers in succession from 1989 to 1992 on Courtza, Canny Lad, Tierce and Burst as well as the 1989 Melbourne Cup on Tawrrific and two Sydney jockey premierships in 1990-1991 and 1996-1997.

“I was riding as well as ever when I was in Mauritius,” Dye said.

“It’s been a while but I wouldn’t be riding again unless I felt I could return to my best. As long as I’m enjoying it, I’ll keep riding.”

Dye’s comeback ride Goyescas was always off the speed and failed to make up any ground in the straight to finish three lengths from the winner in seventh spot.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.