Five-time Group 1 and The Everest winning jockey Sam Clipperton has announced he’s ridden his last race, stating on social media that it’s time he pursued other goals in life.
The 30-year-old has been riding for 15 years, his first ride coming in July 2010 aboard Nine Dragons at Wyong, and the hoop, best known for his association with The Everest winner Think About It, said it was time to move on.
“My last day as a professional jockey. A decision I have treated with the utmost respect. After 15 years of race riding, the time is now to peruse other goals and I am excited for what is in store for the future,” Clipperton posted on Instagram.
Clipperton had one ride on the 7th of December at Rosehill, finishing sixth of six aboard the Les Bridge trained Scorching Legend, while his last winner came aboard the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou trained Revolt on the 23rd of November at Warwick Farm.
In 2016 Clipperton rode a stint in Hong Kong, with his biggest of 62 winners coming aboard cult hero sprinter Hot King Prawn in the 2018 Group 2 Premier Bowl (1200m), but it was more recently back home that his flagship partnership came to be.
Clipperton rode the Joseph Pride trained Think About It in nine of his 11 wins, all nine coming consecutively from a benchmark 72 at Warwick Farm, through to back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) before also taking out the $20 million The Everest.
While Clipperton hasn’t made any announcement on what he intends to do post-life as a jockey, the former dual NSW champion apprentice said he was thankful for all the support.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me along my journey.”
