Talented Melbourne apprentice Tayla Childs has high hopes her decision to relocate to Perth with the aim of securing further opportunities will be realised.
From a respected racing family, Tayla Childs, daughter of champion jockey Greg and sister of G1 winning-rider, Jordan, has ridden 33 winners since she began her apprenticeship in 2019.
Childs will link up with top young Perth trainer, Luke Fernie and said her decision to move interstate was made a lot easier after encouragement from her dad.
WA racing holds sentimental attachment for the New Zealand-born Greg Childs, it’s where he claimed his first G1 victory in Australia after riding Umatilla in the Karrakatta Plate at Ascot in 1990.
His WA connection was further enhanced later when he rode locally-owned champion Northerly to three G1 wins in Melbourne.
Childs and Northerly combined to win the Australian Cup (2001), the Underwood Stakes (2002) and Caulfield Cup (2002).
Tayla Childs said the support from her father and prominent jockey manager, Dale Verhagen, who looks after William Pike, were telling factors in her decision.
“It’s so tough in Victoria with the lack of opportunities,” Childs told The Races WA.
“It’s always something I have wanted to do and it was a matter of the right time to have a go in Perth.
“Dale was dad’s former manager and is a close family friend, so to have his help is going to be great.
“I also had a good talk to my brother about it and I am only an apprentice once, I have two years left.
“Going to Perth I hope I can get more rides and more opportunities.
“In Victoria I could be going on four hour car trips for maybe one or two rides.
“Rides are not as consistent as over there.
“I just want to ride more in Perth and that’s the goal.
“I can’t wait to get over there.”
Childs, who gave up childhood education studies at university to follow in the footsteps of her dad and brother, arrives in Perth after completing Boxing Day commitments in Victoria.
The 26-year-old is on a three-month loan to Fernie. She claims 3kg in the city and 2kg in the country.