Australian jockey Zac Lloyd is preparing for his British debut, which will include a first appearance at Royal Ascot. The 22-year-old has ridden 528 winners in less than six years, including 36 at Group level, and currently sits second in both the Metropolitan and New South Wales Jockey Premiership.
Lloyd, a former Godolphin Australia apprentice, will begin his stint at Doncaster on Friday, riding Ruler Of Time for Charlie Appleby and Madjid for Harry Charlton. He will also ride at the Yorkshire track on Saturday before heading to Royal Ascot.
“I’ve had a very good season in Sydney, winning three Group 1s within the space of four weeks, including the Golden Slipper,” Lloyd told Mirror Racing. “That helped put my name out on the international stage. Then George Boughey got in contact and asked if I would like to come for Royal Ascot and it all went from there.”
Lloyd visited Britain three years ago to ride work for Appleby while serving a suspension, but has yet to experience Royal Ascot. “I have watched nearly every race at Royal Ascot for the past 14 years as a fan in Australia, waking up to watch the races,” he said. “So to finally be a part of it racing is an honest dream come true.”
Lloyd, who can ride at a light weight, has already secured some rides at the meeting. “I want to go there to compete and at the same time I want to go there and win,” he added. “I’m not here just to follow the pack around, I want to be leading the pack.”
