Jockey Alex Hearn Announces Comeback after Decade-Long Absence
Busselton-born jockey Alex Hearn, who commenced his apprenticeship in 2011 and retired from the saddle nearly a decade ago, is making a triumphant return to the sport. In an exclusive interview with Racing WA, Hearn shared the motivating factors behind his comeback, set to take place at the Pinjarra racecourse on Wednesday.
Hearn, who last rode in 2015, hanging up his boots after partnering Shutthegate at a Gold Coast meeting and recording his final win aboard Moonlight Dancer at Ipswich, cites “unfinished business” as the driving force behind his decision to make a comeback. Having ridden 135 winners since starting his career at Northam, the experienced jockey is hungrier than ever to make a successful return to the racing scene.
“I have been back in WA for about five years and have been around horses doing some farrier work,” Hearn revealed to Racing WA. “I was watching the races one day and thought what’s stopping me from giving it another crack. It was about six months ago that I started getting an itch to get back into it. I am one hundred per cent in and want to give it a proper go.”
Hearn’s determination to make a comeback is evident in the work he has put in to get back to his optimal riding weight. After ballooning to nearly 90kg during his break from racing, Hearn has undergone a rigorous regime, shedding an impressive 32kg over the course of four months. “My fitness is real good,” he said. “I’m training for a half marathon in four weeks’ time. I’ve got a jockey dietician I’m working with and she’s got me real good.”
On Wednesday, Hearn’s services have been secured by trainers Tom Wolfe and Tim Crosby, and he is set to ride Millicentbystander (R1), Universal Hotness (R2), Make Your Point (R4), and Looks (R7). Hearn is particularly optimistic about Make Your Point, which ran third in town last start, and Universal Hotness, a horse he has ridden extensively in trackwork.
Hearn’s return to the saddle is sure to be a captivating storyline in the world of horse racing, as the experienced jockey looks to rekindle his passion for the sport and prove that he still has what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Fans and industry insiders alike will be closely watching his comeback campaign, eager to see if Hearn can indeed fulfill the “unfinished business” that has drawn him back to the racetrack.
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