Damian Lane flies to Hong Kong later this month for the next stage of a career that has been on an upward spiral since he started riding in 2009.
Lane, 21, has been given an extraordinary opportunity by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and he’s got what it takes to succeed in the world’s most competitive environment for jockeys.
The contract lasts from March 29 until the end of the current season in July. “I’m pretty excited to be given the opportunity,” Lane said. “I’m very happy with the way things have gone so far and Hong Kong can only improve my riding.”
The West Australian born jockey started his apprenticeship with his father Michael who has been a successful trainer in Bunbury since finishing his own time in the saddle. Lane snr was apprenticed to Wally Mitchell during the halcyon days of champion sprinter Placid Ark. He also won the G1 WA Derby on Chipolata for his master in 1990.
Damian moved to Melbourne during the 2010-11 season and finished his apprenticeship with Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra. He has ridden 76 winners in Victoria this season and is leading the jockeys on the Super VOBIS table with earnings of $155,200.
His 500th career win on Whistle Baby at Sandown on February 4 arrived in the same week as his 21st birthday. “Things have gone well over the past two or three years,” he said. “It’s an honour and I’m thrilled to be going to Hong Kong.”
The latest move means he will lose the rides on several Super VOBIS winners including brilliant Magnus filly Propelled who is part of Ellerton -Zahra Racing at Flemington. She bolted in at Moonee Valley in November for owners Barry & Midge Griffiths and will target black-type during her next preparation.
Lane also partnered Super VOBIS star Trust In A Gust to their first Group 1 victory in the Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield in September. Before the breakthrough, he had won at Group 2 level on Super VOBIS fillies Se Sauver (VRC Edward Manifold Stakes) and Solicit (VRC Kewney Stakes).
In a recent press release, the HKJC said Lane is considered one of the emerging young jockeys in Australia. After graduating to the senior riding ranks, he didn’t break stride riding 106 winners and 105 winners in the last two seasons in Victoria.
Lane has advised authorities his riding weight will be 119 lbs (54kg) in Hong Kong and he has been studying replays and the same jockeys and trainers that will be sizing him up on arrival.
He recently posted a photo on social media of the Hong Kong night skyline and retweeted this comment after the International Group 1 meeting at Sha Tin; “74,000 attendance and turnover of HK$1.46 billion. How’s them dim sums?”
