September 2026

September had a bit of everything — Bella piling up winners in town, Jasper grinding through the toughest part of going senior, and two new faces making an immediate impact.

Bella Youngberry driving to the finish during September — Bella Youngberry13 September winners · 23% win strike rate

The month's leading rider

Bella was flying in September.

Thirteen winners in one month. Bella kept turning up in town, getting on the right horses and making the most of them.

A 23% win strike rate and 47% place strike rate tells you how consistently she rode. From my side, the biggest positive was watching her look completely at home in stronger company. She was decisive, patient when she needed to be and kept giving trainers a reason to put her on again.

There is still more there. We will keep being selective, keep putting her into races that suit and make sure this run of form becomes another step forward rather than a quick hot streak. She has earned the momentum and she is riding well enough to keep it going.

Bella Youngberry returning after racing — Bella Youngberry continued her outstanding metropolitan form throughout September.

Bella YoungberrySeptember at a glance

13
September winners: 23%
Win strike rate: 47%
Place strike rate

In townGreat formStill building

Senior momentum

No claim. No shortcuts. Six winners.

Going senior can be brutal: the claim disappears overnight and the same rides become harder to secure. Jasper answered that challenge with six September winners.

Jasper Franklin

The hard yards are already paying off.

This is the part of a jockey's career where you find out who is prepared to keep grinding. Jasper has. He kept his head down, travelled, took the opportunities that came and converted six of them at a 17% strike rate.

That is exactly the response we wanted after he moved into the senior ranks. He is not trying to force anything; he is rebuilding his book one good ride at a time. October is about keeping him on competitive horses and letting that confidence grow.

6
September winners: 17%
Win strike rate: Senior
Rider status

New to Box Seat

Two new riders. No quiet introductions.

Jaden Lloyd and Anthony Allen both put a result on the board almost immediately. Now the work is to turn that first impact into regular, quality opportunities.

Jaden Lloyd aboard Knight's Choice in the 2023 Winx Guineas — Jaden Lloyd aboard Melbourne Cup hero Knight's Choice in the 2023 Winx Guineas.

Jaden Lloyd55kg minimum

Landed running at Toowoomba.

Jaden Lloyd's first chapter with Box Seat started exactly how you want — with a winner for the Zintilis team at Toowoomba. The talented 55kg rider brings a sharp racing head and plenty of experience. Box Seat's aim is to match Jaden Lloyd with suitable horses, build regular opportunities and keep confidence growing.

Anthony Allen aboard Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise.

Anthony Allen54kg minimum

Three winners. One Gold Coast afternoon.

Anthony was not interested in a quiet introduction. He rode a Gold Coast treble — two for Jack Bruce and one for Kurt Goldman — and is striking at 20% for the season. At 54kg he brings real value, but more importantly he is a very good rider. Our job is to keep the quality coming and get him firing week after week.

McKenzie Apel

A quieter month, with a bigger goal in sight.

Not every month is about filling the winners column. September was quieter for McKenzie, but she has kept working, kept turning up and kept herself ready for the next opening.

Her metropolitan licence application is the important next move. That brings a fresh level of opportunity and competition, and we want her arriving there with confidence. The back end of the year is about building her rhythm again and making sure she is ready when those city rides come.

From the manager's desk

October 2026

The team has a good feel about it.

Bella is flying, Jasper is handling one of the hardest transitions in racing, Jaden and Anthony have hit the ground running, and McKenzie has a clear next target. That gives us plenty to work with. The plan for October is to stay active, keep chasing the right rides and turn September's momentum into something lasting.

Ryan CrawfordBox Seat Management

Previous editionAugust 2026

Bella's Provincial Premiership Apprentice award and the team's August results.