Babarovich Winds Down Riding Career to Join City’s Training Ranks

From Eagle Farm to the dirt tracks of western Queensland, jockey Jason Babarovich has been the consummate survivor.

Not even a heart attack could keep him low for long and away from the thrill of race riding.

But after wins on 60 race tracks across the State, the 56-year-old is counting down to retirement after 40 years of life in the saddle.

He added yet another win to his career tally at Cluden Park on Melbourne Cup Day with victory on the feisty but tough gelding Room For Squares for his partner trainer Melissa Berri.

It was their first Cluden winner since shifting from Mt Isa to Townsville in June to start a spelling and pre-training business and expand their small training operation.

“I still enjoy riding the winners, but at 56 when you fall off you don’t bounce, you break,” he said.

“I’m looking to retire at the end of the year, It was never going to happen in Mt Isa because of the shortage of jockeys and work riders out there. You’re always needed. 

“So we decided to shift back. One of the people we used to train for, Peter Malpass, made an offer for us to lease his property at Yabulu and we thought it was a good opportunity and took it.“ 

Babarovich, or “Barry” as he’s known in the jockeys’ room, has close ties with Townsville after spending a number of years based in the city over a decade ago.

He enjoyed a fruitful association with trainer John Robbins as stable jockey.

But a sudden and serious health issue sidelined him and eventually forced him to go west to chase riding opportunities.

“I started out as an apprentice with Ian Hocking at Eagle Farm when I was 16. We had the great filly Golleen who won a Flight Stakes, Thousand Guineas and ran third in a VRC Oaks,” Barbarovich said.

“I moved here about 13 years ago and was going good. I was stable rider for John Robbins and then I had a heart attack.

“That slowed me up. When I came back I didn’t get much support and was driving west every week to ride. Eventually Charlie Prow made me an offer to be his stable rider so I shifted west.

“From there we finally made our way back home (Townsville).

“We did really well. I won a few premierships and was always in amongst them. It was good to us but it was time to stop.

“It’s taken a while to get the property cleaned up and the way we want it but the clients are starting to roll in and we’re pretty happy.

“We can take up to 35 horses for spelling or pre-training. We’ve got a 1200m track, a swim and walker so we’ve got pretty much everything there.

“When I stop riding I want to grow the training business and give someone else a go and take on an apprentice or young rider.”

In the meantime, Babarovich was delighted with Tuesday’s win by Room For Squares, who was sent to him by good friend Jon Walk in Brisbane.

“I rode with Jon. We’ve won six races with the old horse. Jon’s happy, we’re happy, everyone’s happy.

“We’ve only got him in work, another one spelling and Mel just bought a new one. The plan is to slowly build up the team and when I retire I’d like to have 10 to 20 horses in work.”

Meanwhile, battling trainer Scott Seymour had plenty of well-wishes after first-starter Properleigh scored a tough win in the QTIS Mdn Hcp (1000m).

Seymour bought the flighty Power filly for $1400 on-line and was assured she was a dream to handle.

“It’s always good to win a race in Townsville, especially a QTIS Maiden race. When we bought her we were told she was pretty much good to do anything with but when we got her it turned out very different,” Seymour said.

“You can’t shoe her properly, she wouldn’t stand in the tie-ups when we first got her,.

“We took her to Ewan and she played up behind the barriers and was scratched.

“We had to send her out to the start early today just to cover our bases because she’s by Power and a lot of them are pretty hot.

“It was a good win, she’s a tough little cookie. We might now go for a race in the bush but I think she’ll win at a TAB meeting eventually,

“I have to take my hat off to Des Veivers who shoes her. I’m very thankful for the help he’s given me because she’s not easy.”