It was the milestone moment that almost wasn’t.
Newcastle-based apprentice Dylan Gibbons has celebrated the biggest win of his fledgling career with a deft frontrunning ride aboard Festival Dancer in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) after his manager originally declared him unavailable for the mount.
Gibbons, who usually rides at the provincial Saturday meetings, was slated to head to Kembla Grange when trainer Matt Smith sought him out for the feature race mount on Festival Dancer, who he had ridden to wins at two of her past three starts.
“I rang him to get him for this race and they said he wasn’t available, he was going to ride at Kembla,” Smith said.
“But then his manager rang back and said, ‘have you booked anyone yet?’ as Dylan was going to ride here.
“Fortunately, I had not gotten around to finding another.
“It was a great moment for Dylan. He’s a hard worker and deserves the opportunities.”
Gibbons is the son of popular Newcastle-based jockey Andrew, whose biggest career win was in the Listed Ramornie Handicap on Jerezana in 2011.
The fact he has already upped his father wasn’t lost on the young rider.
“Dad has only had a Listed winner, so I am ahead of him,” Gibbons quipped.
Making the victory extra sweet was the fact Dylan Gibbons achieved the milestone at his home track.
Apprenticed to leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, Gibbons took Festival Dancer ($5 fav) to the front and the filly kicked strongly to hold War Eternal ($10) at bay by 2-1/2 lengths with Arnaqueur ($6.50) making significant ground from the back, another short neck away.
“That’s something I always dreamed about as a kid, these big moments,” Gibbons said.
“To do it here, I’ve got my grandparents in the stand, it’s unreal.
“I thought, (there is a) headwind, I’ll give them something to chase. She is only little but she’s full of heart and so tough and I can’t be any more thankful to the horse and Matty Smith because today is a day I’ll never forget.
“I was a bit content waiting to go to town but after today, I might be a bit more of a pest to Kris (Lees) now.”
Smith said Festival Dancer had always shown ability and had just continued to improve.
She has earned herself a spell with Smith confirming she will return for an autumn carnival campaign.