GORTON’S “EVENT” AT GOULBURN A WATERSHED MOMENT

YOUNG Hawkesbury jockey Poppie Gorton has made the successful transition from an eventer to a winning apprentice.

And though her master, leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup no longer prepares his maiden Group 1 winner, the now retired Icebath, the classy mare played an important role in her decision to make the switch.

Eighteen-year-old Gorton, at her ninth race ride, broke the ice at Goulburn today with a convincing victory on Widdup’s four-year-old mare Forcefilly ($8) in the Maiden Handicap (1100m).

“I was born and bred into eventing, and that has been a big part of my life for the first 16 years,” Gorton said on Sky Racing after her success.

“It’s been a very big change, but well worth the move.

“It’s extremely special to win my first race, and I can’t thank Brad enough for the support he has given me since I started working for him when I was 15.”

Gorton, however, didn’t initially have her sights fixed on becoming a jockey.

That changed when Widdup’s assistant trainer Rosie Jilla showed a video of her riding Icebath in a gallop down the straight before she won the Group 1 at Flemington (2022 Myer Classic).

Gorton pictured with winning owner Ben Vassallo

“That sparked my fire to become a trackwork rider, and Brad said: ‘Why don’t we try for an apprenticeship’.

“I said of course. My parents weren’t happy but I still did it.”

Forcefilly was third emergency for the Maiden Handicap, but a heavy track ensured a number of scratchings, providing her with a berth in the field.

Unfortunately, Widdup wasn’t close by to watch his young apprentice clinch a watershed moment in her career.

He has been attending the Keeneland September yearling sales in the USA with Jedibeel’s owner Mike Gregg, and is en route home, due to land in Sydney early tomorrow morning.

Widdup’s wife Milissa said everyone at their Hawkesbury stable cheered loudly for Gorton as she needed to give Forcefilly only one flick with the whip to comfortably defeat Tomcat Flowers ($2.80) and K’gari ($6.50).

“It was fantastic to see Poppie get her first win,” Mrs Widdup said.

“She is super keen, and has had no luck in her earlier rides, many of her mounts drawing poorly.

“Poppie started with us in January 2023 after she finished Year 10 at school.

“Senior jockeys Christian Reith and Grant Buckley have been of great assistance to her.

“Poppie’s parents bought her a mechanical horse last Christmas, and she now has it here at our house for Christian and Grant to watch her.”

Forcefilly is raced by Widdup’s long-term supporters BK Racing & Breeeding and their racing manager Ben Vassallo, and has only recently joined his Hawkesbury stable.

The daughter of Invader was previously trained at the Gold Coast, and was having only her second start for her new trainer.

HOOFNOTE: Jedibeel will gallop between the first and second races at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow in preparation for a belated return in the $1m Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick next Saturday.

Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker also was in the winning list at Goulburn.

Parker’s Hallowed Crown four-year-old Bobs Back (Chad Lever) trounced his rivals in the Maiden Plate (1400m).

Having his third run back from a break, Bobs Back ($6) romped home by five lengths at his seventh start.

Story John Curtis, September 12, 2025