New Zealand apprentice Wiremu Pinn ends Melbourne riding stint after partner denied Victorian licence to ride

Pinn arrived in Melbourne to continue his apprenticeship with Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent during the winter months, making a good fist of things with 26 wins, including 16 in town.

“I had great support from some of the big stables and I was doing really well,” Pinn said.

“I really enjoyed my time in Melbourne and I learned a lot.”

However, Pinn decided to move back to his homeland after Racing Victoria denied his partner, leading New Zealand apprentice Taylah Mitchell, a riding licence.

Pinn said Mitchell followed him across to Australia last year, spending a long period riding trackwork in the hope Racing Victoria would allow the apprentice to ride alongside him.

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“She’d been riding trackwork in Melbourne for five or six months, hoping she would get her licence, and she would be able to race there,” Pinn said.

“She was the leading apprentice in New Zealand and they wouldn’t give her a licence so it was a bit of a kick in the guts, so we’ve come back to New Zealand.

“They said she needs to ride ‘x’ amount of winners, which I think is six more.

“Hopefully she can get those winners and we might reapply.”

Pinn said he decided to head home with Mitchell to repay the support she had given him while he was making his name in Melbourne.

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“I’m a bit down about it but Taylah loves riding and wants to get back riding,” Pinn said.

“She got itchy feet watching me but now it’s more me wanting to support her.

“She moved houses for me so I’d better show her a little support back.”

Pinn said he and Mitchell had not given up hope of both returning to ride in Australia in the middley of next year.

He said the current focus was Mitchell re-establishing herself in New Zealand and riding the required winners to qualify for a Victorian licence.

The pair will resume riding during New Zealand’s richest racing period, which slightly softens the blow.

“In the winter, when everyone’s gone, she can utilise her claim,” Pinn said.

“It’s probably not a bad thing to come home at this time of the year but still, I really wanted to make it as a jockey in Melbourne.

“It’s a little bit sad but we won’t look in the rear-vision mirror, we’ll look forward.”

Originally published as New Zealand apprentice Wiremu Pinn ends Melbourne riding stint after partner denied Victorian licence to ride