STANLEY LOVING LIFE AT NEWCASTLE

YOU can take the boy out of the bush – and keep him here!

Former country apprentice Will Stanley, who relocated to Newcastle in the latter part of 2024 on the recommendation of former Group 1 winning jockey Corey Brown to join leading trainer Kris Lees’ stable, was back in the Saturday metropolitan winning list at Rosehill Gardens yesterday.

His victory on Cold Brew ($5 favorite) in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) was his 10^th city winner this season – four more than last year.

And whilst the 22-year-old is hoping to get an extension to his time as an apprentice, he has no plans to leave Newcastle, irrespective of the outcome.

“I love it here,” Stanley, who with his wife, former jockey Chelsea Ings, has started a family, said today.

“I can’t see us moving any time soon.”

Stanley is due to conclude his apprenticeship on October 23, and intends to apply for an extension.

“I would like to try to outride my provincial allowance,” he said.

Stanley, whose first winner was at his first ride (Dot The Eye at Bedgerabong picnics on February 13, 2021), has since ridden a further 154 winners.

Cold Brew, who gamely defeated Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan’s $41 roughie Hellova Nature (who had won his previous two starts), and Kembla Grange co-trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter’s Mafia ($8.50), was Stanley’s 39^th winner in this current season.

He rode 42 last season, and is keen to top that figure the 2025-26 racing year ends on July 31.

Stanley left home at 7.45 yesterday morning to head to Sydney for the Rosehill opener on Cold Brew at 11an.

But not before he had ridden five horses trackwork for his boss.

Stanley had six mounts at Rosehill, but Cold Brew was his sole shining light.

“I’ve had a few rides for Cold Brew’s trainers Richard and Will Freedman,” he said.

“I won a couple of races in town on Walking Painting; the first at Royal Randwick in July last year, and more recently at the Kensington track in April this year.”

Stanley will continue to chase beating last season’s number of winners with mounts at Scone tomorrow and Taree on Tuesday.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 28, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS