Following his riding career, Riley started working with apprentices, helping the likes of a young Steven King perfect their rides. For 12 years, Riley then worked closely with the National Jockeys Trust, where his wife and two children were also involved.
When his fellow apprentice and friend David Charles called with information of an opportunity to work at Flemington around six years ago, Riley applied and was thrilled to be offered the position. “To get to work around the horses is just great. If I can’t ride anymore, this is the closest thing to it,” he said. Managing 12 staff, Riley also works closely with Track Manager Liam O’Keeffe and Liam’s assistant, Brendan Jackson. “Liam and I are in touch 24/7.”
Collectively, they ensure that everything to do with Flemington trackwork runs smoothly, and each and every safety precaution is taken. It is not a role for those who do not like early mornings, however, with Riley in the car by 2am most mornings, in the office at 2.30 and on the track by 3am.
“One of my staff and I open up the trainers’ towers, turning on the lights and heaters. Someone else walks the track and I drive around, checking that everything is safe.”
The track is opened to trainers at 4am, “as long as the Wilson medic is there”, and the day begins. With around 300 people and 600 horses to manage, Riley’s phone usually rings non-stop throughout the morning. “My team and I are there to make sure that everything is safe and running smoothly. We have rosters and processes, but of course you can’t plan for everything. But everyone knows what to do and abides by the rules.”
Even when Riley is not on track, he is still flexible, as is everyone in the team. “For example, if Mick Hurry (the starter for jump-outs who also takes care of the barrier attendants), can’t work one day, I’ll fill in for him,” he said.
It really is all-hands-on-deck, and Riley stresses that the phrase ‘team effort’ is not just words. “I work with a great bunch of people, who are also all horse people. They all have some sort of history with horses whether as a track rider or jockey, so we bounce ideas off each other all the time.” With the addition of trainers, track riders, strappers and stablehands, Riley says there is a lot of banter and general air of camaraderie every day.
With such a strong team and a chance to work day-in-day-out with the animals he loves, it is no wonder that Mick Riley is happy to wake before the sun every day, for a day on the famed Flemington track.