Injured jockey gets back to racing roots as a QRIC steward
Former southeast Queensland jockey Ruby Ride has returned home to racing after a catastrophic injury forced her to retire from riding.
Ms Ride is now on the other side of the fence, as a Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) cadet steward.
At a race in 2015, Ms Ride’s mount fell and crushed her pelvis.
After two surgeries and intensive rehabilitation, she returned to racing in 2017, only to be involved in another race fall at Doomben that resulted in further injuries.
“The impact of the second fall caused my pelvis to basically fall apart and I needed it fused with rods, plates and bone grafts, so I was no longer able to ride” she said.
Ms Ride says she was interested in stewarding as a future career change while she was a jockey, as she knew her injuries would eventually catch up to her.
“I did take time away from the industry for a few years as I was struggling to come to terms with the reality that I was no longer able to ride,” Ms Ride said.
“I couldn’t even bear to watch the races on TV.”
Despite this, Ms Ride remained passionate about the racing industry and eventually joined QRIC’s ranks in January this year.
“I did think it would be a challenge being back in the industry and being on the other side of the fence, but it isn’t.
“I’m loving my role and the people I work with.”
With experience as a jockey under her belt, Ms Ride has taken quickly to life as a cadet steward.
“I have been in racing since I was 14 and I am 30 now, so I have great knowledge of the industry and the people in it,” said Ms Ride.
“I rode in races for nine years and have been in and out of stewards’ rooms, so I have a good understanding of the process and respect for what is needed to run a meeting safely and with integrity.
“I love being back in the industry and around horses.
“All the people I have come across have been so helpful and supportive.”
Ms Ride is one of 11 stewards who have joined the Commission this year after a widespread recruitment campaign to bring racing stewards to Queensland.