“When we landed and I finally turned my phone on I had a whole lot of messages and the first one I went to was one from Mum telling me I had won it. That was pretty special.”
Mitchell didn’t have long to enjoy her achievement though because she had four suitcases to collect at the baggage claim as the day she became our champion young jockey was also the day she moved to Victoria.
Mitchell is the partner of another outstanding young jockey in Wiremu Pinn and sees her future as being in Victoria with Pinn and hopefully building her own career.
“Nothing is official yet but yes, I have brought most of my clothes over with me and I want to make a go of it here,” Mitchell said from Melbourne.
“I will start out riding track work and I’d like to get on a few at the jumpouts here and then, if things go well, I’d like to get my licence over here.
“My exact plans are a bit day by day and I intend going back to New Zealand for some rides initially but I am going to try and establish myself here. “But I am really proud to win the apprentice title and want to thank all the trainers and owners who have supported me.”
Pinn’s already successful move to Victoria is set to become permanent this week as he has met with stewards to get approval to have his apprenticeship moved to Victorian trainer Mick Kent.
“I love it over here and want to give it a real go,” says Pinn.
“I know it will be harder in spring with some many top riders back but I can only try.”
