TRACK RIDERS - STAFF

The backbone of the stable-
The dedicated staff who work endlessly for the welfare of the horses.

Peter Anthony Gilman (Foreman)

"Handling horses is not a science, its an art."

Born and growing up in Adelaide, Australia, Peter Anthony Gilman was drawn to the world of animals from a young age. He eventually set his mind on becoming a jockey. Leaving school at the tender age of 14 years, Peter became an apprentice jockey, with Trainer Ted Cameron.

Within his first week at the stables, Peter suffered a head injury resulting in a compound fracture that kept him away from work for 3 months. Undeterred by this first of many future setbacks, he returned to the stables soon after recovery. Eventually, when he turned 16, he obtained his Jockey's licence. During the next four years he ran 200 races with 16 winners.

Being tall and finding it a challenge to maintain the ideal weight for a jockey, Peter decided to retire at the age of 20. He subsequently enjoyed various stables stints in Adelaide and Sydney doing track work, and even worked at a stud for a few months.

Soon after, he decided to embark on a totally different direction in the food and beverage industry, and started work at the exclusive Tattersalls club in Sydney. While enjoying this new career path, and looking forward to an opportunity to start as an apprentice chef, he saw a job come up at the Sydney Turf club. He applied (one of a hundred applicants) and successfully landed the job as Clerk of the Scales.

Peter found it very interesting working in the judges' box. He was also in charge of the scales on race days, among his other responsibilites as part of a large turf club. Being a capable staff, he was offered an administrative position within the turf club. He soon realised that he missed the magic of the racetrack. He carried on the office job for two years until the opportunity came up to go and work for a trainer on the Gold Coast.

At 29, Peter went over to Macau, and worked as a track rider for Charles Leck and other trainers. After that 4 year stint, he also enjoyed opportunities in Japan and Malaysia. Returning to Australia, he worked for Bobby Thompson in Sydney and then again changed career path when he moved back to the Gold Coast and got his barman’s licence.

Before long though he was back with the horses, as he believes that once they are in your blood they will always be part of your life. So he decided to get his trainer's licence and get a few clients of his own.
He eventually gave up training just as the Burridge stables presented the perfect opportunity. He had ridden with Steve in Macau. Steve knew how talented Peter was, as a good horseman. Steve asked him to come over to Singapore.

The affinity between Peter and horses is very obvious in the evident respect between these majestic animals and the charming and kind man.

Matthew Kellady (Jockey)

"Riding horses is a never-ending learning process"

Born in Ipoh, Matthew Kellady was greatly influenced by his uncle's keen interest in horse-racing. It was also his uncle who introduced him to the professionals in horse-racing. Enthralled by the excitement of riding horses and using his small build to his advantage, Matthew began his career as track rider in his hometown for 2 years. He then left for Perth for a 1 year stint as an apprentice where he also got his license.

He then came to Singapore to continue his apprenticeship and obtained the local license. He trained under Don B for about 5 years. He began his freelance jockey career in 2007. The highlight of his jockey career is winning 4 races in one single day.

Matthew's talent and experience with horses is a tremendous asset to any trainer. He understands deeply how each horse is different in character. His passion to understand each horse's temperament and to manage it accordingly is clearly evident. He is known to be adept in calming horses and is especially good with working with nervous horses in the barriers. His experience with riding horses during gallops has made him an old hand at times, which Steve likes. His career has not always been an easy ride- he has suffered race falls, fractured skull and neck. However, his love for horses and racing make it possible for him to return to the racing tracks with more fervor than ever.

A father of two, he believes in keeping fit. He enjoys playing basketball and water-skiing in his free time.

Choy’s childhood neighborhood- The Perak Turf Club, Ipoh, Malaysia –was all the inspiration he needed to start his career at the track. Focused on this, his determination to ride, and with the help of his friends working at the track, he managed to get started by working for Trainer Peter Lee.

After a few years learning his core track skills in Malaysia, Choy headed off to New Zealand to gain more racing knowledge and experience.  During his time there, he had the opportunity to ride young horses, ride trials and get involved in various aspects of preparing and taking horses to the races – all the time building on his expertise in racing, track and overall horsemanship.  Finally, after spending 6 months under Chris Waller he came back to Asia and settled in Singapore. 

Choy has been with the Burridge yard for over 2 years and his daily duties are focused on riding trials, gallops and developing young horses. Choy is very calm on horse back, he gives his horses plenty of encouragement, confidence and praise. When doing gallops he has a great sense of pace and is always ‘spot on’ with his times. 

In addition, he is responsible for the saddlery for all 50 horses.  This entails full organization, maintenance and allocation of all elements of every horses tack.

 In his spare time, Choy loves to play soccer, he also follows the E.P.L. When he has time he enjoys giving obedience lessons to the boss’s two dogs.

Alias Shankar – Senior Track Rider and Barrier Attendant

Shankar began working with horses in his home town of Penang in Malaysia at the age of 26. When Damian Williams his boss at the time, decided to move back home to Melbourne, Australia he took Shankar along too and taught him the ropes from general stable work to track riding.

After spending three years in Australia, Shankar moved to New Zealand to work for the trainer John Sargeant.  Not long after, he moved to Singapore to work for the Burridge Stables where he happily rides all of the forty-five or so horses.

On race days, Shankar spends the day at the barriers assisting all the Burridge trained runners.  As well as loading them into the barriers, he also sits up in the barriers with the horse and jockey lending a kind hand ensuring they get the best start possible.

Married for three years and with a baby on the way, Shankar likes to get home to Penang whenever Steve and Julie have a horse entered for the races up there.  In Singapore he shares an apartment in Woodlands with track rider, Richo, and spends his spare time in the gym or on the jogging track, when not watching TV!

Firdhaus (Trackrider)

“I 'm going to be a jockey'.”

Amiable and care-free sounding, Firdhaus graduated from the Turf Club’s S.T.A.R program. He assists Julie in the daily feeding of the horses while also involved in the various riding stages such as riding slow work and some pace work for the racehorses.

Firdhaus has proven himself to be responsible and sharp. He is also savvy with the horses and a quick learner who takes initiative. As a promising trackrider, Firdhaus shows great potential for a more rewarding future in horse racing.

Ross (Trackrider)

“Horses have made me into the man that I am.”

The newest member to the Steven Burridge Racing Stables team, Ross is originally from Kelantan. He has three years of experience working in a stable and enjoys being around horses.

He is kept busy in assisting the grooms at the stable, with the regular walks and time at the pool for the horses. He has a soft hand and is able to coax the horses with ease. His light weight is an asset in this industry and he rides plenty of gallops. To become a track rider for a leading trainer in Singapore makes him feel proud, and although he misses his family he enjoys the intensity of the horse racing scene in Singapore.