Champion jockey Jeff Lloyd, who made a gallant final bid to win the Vodacom Durban July in 2018, has finally confirmed he will retire from race riding in a matter of weeks.
Jeff Lloyd and his family at Greville in 2018
Lloyd partnered the Snaith’s Made To Conquer and, while the fairytale failed to materialise by 1,25 lengths as he was beaten by stablemate Do It Again.
On Saturday the Dynasty gelding again bids to give another veteran his first winner in the special race.
Five-times SA champion Mark Khan has never won the July.
He was out of the saddle for close on seven years after retiring in 2010. He made a comeback in 2017. The 50 year old made a speedy recovery from a hip injury suffered at the Hollywoodbets Greyville track in April and is looking forward to ticking off another major achievement on his illustrious CV.
Mark Khan – out to conquer
Meanwhile, the 57-year-old Lloyd has the Brisbane metropolitan premiership safely in his keeping for a fourth time.
He indicated last year he would retire during this season but had not put a date on the end of his riding career.
“I can confirm I will retire after the Doomben meeting on July 13,” Lloyd said recently.
“I want to be able to spend more time with my boys. My son Jaden will start riding in races in the new season.”
Jaden Lloyd has been accepted into Racing Victoria’s apprentice program. He is working at Lindsay Park and has already ridden in trials.
Lloyd will attend the overseas wedding of his nephew, Hong Kong-based jockey Chad Schofield, the week after his last day.
Lloyd began his career in South Africa about 40 years ago and won nine junior and senior premierships.
He has since had stints in Mauritius, Hong Kong, England and Sydney.
