South African born Chad Schofield

South African-born Australian jockey Chad Schofield can fill in a blank missing on his father’s CV when he partner’s The Conglomerate in Saturday’s R3,5 million Gr 1 Vodacom Durban July for Joey Ramsden. The KRA Guineas winner was yesterday quoted at 25-1 for the big race.



Ramsden said it was becoming increasingly difficult to find lightweight jockeys and the connections had decided to begin looking around when no phone calls for the ride were forthcoming. He added they had considered a number of options on who to bring in, so the decision had not been made lightly.



“Chad comes highly recommended. They were impressed with him in the UK and he’s got a contract to ride in Hong Kong so he’s obviously got something. He seems to be a bit of a maverick and I like that in a jockey.”



Father Glyn Schofield was one of the country’s leading jockeys before immigrating to Australia where he followed brother-in-law Jeff Lloyd in 2007 and quickly established himself as a leading rider in Sydney. He had seven rides in the July but never managed a place.



Young Schofield’s first winner was in September 2010 at Newcastle and he claimed the Sydney Apprentices’ Premiership under the guidance of top former South African trainer, David Payne.



Schofield become the first rider in history to land both Sydney and Melbourne Apprentices’ Premierships and will joined the likes of Malcolm Johnston, Wayne Harris and Darren Beadman as a winner of the Melbourne Apprentices’ Premiership in just his second year.



The 21-year-old Schofield really burst onto the scene when partnering Shamus Award to win one of Australia’s most prestigious races, the Gr1 Sportingbet Cox Plate in 2013.



He has since won three other Gr1’s in Australia where he has ridden 271 winners but is no stranger to controversy. In his relentless drive to win he has copped some lengthy suspensions for careless and improper riding, two suspensions totalling 59 meetings last year, and also through injury.



Leading jockey Chad Schofield, who won the Cox Plate on Shamus Award in 2013, is heading to a Britain for a three-month spell this summer when he will ride for Ed Dunlop.



Schofield, who has also ridden top sprinter Lankan Rupee, will arrive in Newmarket towards the end of this month.



The idea came from owner Terry Henderson and it is something the rider is relishing.



His agent will be Tony Hind, who looks after Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes.



"Terry Henderson actually mentioned it to me 12 months ago," Schofield said. "He said if I was ever keen to head over there he'd highly recommend it - he thought it would be good for me - so I took him up on the offer and he couldn't have been any more helpful.



"He contacted a few trainers on my behalf and Ed Dunlop showed a lot of interest and was keen to have me, so I'm going to Newmarket to ride for him."



"With the carnival in Sydney over I feel the time's right for me to head over there for three months and then come back for the new season."



The 21-year-old Schofield added on racing.com: "I've never ridden overseas so I'm just looking forward to going and gaining experience and learning some more riding styles and riding on different tracks for different trainers.



"It's obviously a lot different to here, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can build some contacts to help me out in the future as well."



James McDonald, Godolphin's main rider in Australia, will also be in action in Britain this summer.



Leading jockey Chad Schofield, who won the Cox Plate on Shamus Award in 2013, is heading to a Britain for a three-month spell this summer when he will ride for Ed Dunlop.



Schofield, who has also ridden top sprinter Lankan Rupee, will arrive in Newmarket towards the end of this month.



The idea came from owner Terry Henderson and it is something the rider is relishing.



His agent will be Tony Hind, who looks after Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes.



"Terry Henderson actually mentioned it to me 12 months ago," Schofield said. "He said if I was ever keen to head over there he'd highly recommend it - he thought it would be good for me - so I took him up on the offer and he couldn't have been any more helpful.



"He contacted a few trainers on my behalf and Ed Dunlop showed a lot of interest and was keen to have me, so I'm going to Newmarket to ride for him."



"With the carnival in Sydney over I feel the time's right for me to head over there for three months and then come back for the new season."



The 21-year-old Schofield added on racing.com: "I've never ridden overseas so I'm just looking forward to going and gaining experience and learning some more riding styles and riding on different tracks for different trainers.



"It's obviously a lot different to here, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can build some contacts to help me out in the future as well."



James McDonald, Godolphin's main rider in Australia, will also be in action in Britain this summer.



Leading jockey Chad Schofield, who won the Cox Plate on Shamus Award in 2013, is heading to a Britain for a three-month spell this summer when he will ride for Ed Dunlop.



Schofield, who has also ridden top sprinter Lankan Rupee, will arrive in Newmarket towards the end of this month.



The idea came from owner Terry Henderson and it is something the rider is relishing.



His agent will be Tony Hind, who looks after Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes.



"Terry Henderson actually mentioned it to me 12 months ago," Schofield said. "He said if I was ever keen to head over there he'd highly recommend it - he thought it would be good for me - so I took him up on the offer and he couldn't have been any more helpful.



"He contacted a few trainers on my behalf and Ed Dunlop showed a lot of interest and was keen to have me, so I'm going to Newmarket to ride for him."

"With the carnival in Sydney over I feel the time's right for me to head over there for three months and then come back for the new season."



The 21-year-old Schofield added on racing.com: "I've never ridden overseas so I'm just looking forward to going and gaining experience and learning some more riding styles and riding on different tracks for different trainers.



"It's obviously a lot different to here, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can build some contacts to help me out in the future as well."

James McDonald, Godolphin's main rider in Australia, will also be in action in Britain this summer.



Recently he has been riding for leading English trainer Ed Dunlop in England during the Australian winter and partnered the David Hayes-trained Criterion to fifth in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is due to start a contract in Hong Kong in September.



Of the July, Schofield tweeted: "Can't wait to ride in the country I grew up in."

The Conglomerate.......HUGE betting drift :S

Was at 12's at one stage, now right out of it. Had a thought that Chad should rather tuck in behind them all and try run at them turning for home.

R5 a place still excellent value at Hollywood.

Historic big moment for the young jockey and he must be extremely proud to continue in the family tradition of July winning great grandfather Charlie Barends and grandfather Aubrey Roberts .