YOUNG JOCKEY’S OZ ADVENTURE STARTING TO PAY DIVIDENDS

FROM the Republic of Zimbabwe to the UK to Australia!

It’s been quite a journey for 23-year-old apprentice Deon Le Roux, who could not have wished for a better festive season by riding his first two Aussie winners at Queanbeyan on Boxing Day and Gosford yesterday on New Year’s Eve.

Making those victories even more memorable was the fact that the Harare-born young jockey had an exceptional cheer squad.

“My parents, girlfriend and friends came out to Australia, and arrived on Christmas Day,” Le Roux explained today.

“They all went to Queanbeyan last Friday; I could hear them cheering in the straight when I won on Human Shield.

“And they were at Gosford again yesterday; I had personal chauffeurs for both meetings.

“Their presence made my first two Australian winners very special indeed.”

Le Roux began his apprenticeship at Lambourn in Berkshire, England with former successful jockey turned trainer Richard Hughes, and rode his first winner (Brunel Downs) at Lingfield’s all-weather track on June 25, 2022.

He had 49 rides in the UK, and took a break after riding that same horse at Kempton Park in August the following year.

“There were a couple of reasons,” Le Roux said.

“I was getting a bit disenchanted as I wasn’t getting back anywhere near what I was putting in.

“But I damaged my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and would have been out for an extended period anyway.”

Searching for a new opportunity abroad, Le Roux contacted former Irish and UK jockey Robbie Downey, who told him highly respected Royal Randwick training brothers Jim and Greg Lee were looking for a rider.

“Jim and Greg were happy to take me on, and I arrived in Australia in November 2024,” Le Roux said.

“They have been terrific; looking after me so well.”

Le Roux began his new venture, coincidentally at the scene of his breakthrough provincial winner (Gosford) on the Lee-trained Dufresne on December 4 just gone.

He rode placings for the Lee brothers on Newcastle’s Beaumont track (December 16), Queanbeyan (December 18) and Goulburn the following day before clinching his first Australian winner on Human Shield ($4.40), who overcame an outside barrier in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (1200m) at Queanbeyan last Friday.

Le Roux doubled up with a brilliant victory on the Lee-trained Fuadee ($8) in a Super Maiden Handicap (1200m) at Gosford yesterday.

Despite having to race wide, the lightly-raced Yes Yes Yes four-year-old unleased a nippy tun of foot in the straight at only his third start to defeat Impuriteze ($4.80) and Gosford trainer Greg McFarlane’s $101 bolter Go Glenn in the style of a horse destined for further success.

The same could be said about his young rider.

“I came to Australia for a new opportunity,” Le Roux said. “I’m loving the better weather and the lifestyle.

“I’m determined to make a go of things by continuing to work hard and learning as much as I can.

“I am also riding some work at Randwick for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and hoping now to pick up some more rides from various trainers.”

Le Roux has further bookings at Kembla Grange on Saturday and Monday’s Showcase Moruya Cup meeting, and is being managed by Justin McIntosh (0460 888267).

Wyong’s Kim Waugh and Hawkesbury’s Tommy Wong were the last two provincial trainers to prepare winners in 2025.

Waugh’s victory at Gosford with promising filly Brightburn ($2.90 favorite) in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1100m) was her 704^th career success – and ninth this season.

Deep Field three-year-old Brightburn has now won two of her only three starts, and defeated Iron Fury ($4.60) and Hawkesbury trainer Blake Ryan’s Just Awesome ($3.10).

Wong broke through for his maiden 2025-26 win when former Queenslander Platinum Gift ($8) took the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) at the corresponding Nowra fixture.

Despite a wide run, the Sooboog four-year-old overpowered his rivals to defeat Itszarbay ($2.90 favorite) and Kembla Grange trainer Paul Murray’s Gooloo Bucky ($10).

Hong Kong owner Joseph Choi paid $85,000 for Platinum Gift as a 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling, and recently transferred him to Wong from Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton, who prepared him for a Grafton success early last year and four placings from 11 starts.

“Platinum Gift lost a bit of confidence, and Joseph sent him to me hoping a change of scenery would help,” Wong said.

“I have trained horses for him before and have a couple for him at present.

“Platinum Gift didn’t do a lot at his first trial for me, and then won an 800m trial at Hawkesbury on December 15.”

HOOFNOTE: The Newcastle course proper meeting scheduled for January 15 will now be held on the Beaumont track.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 1, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS