No days off for Ferris ahead of Mount Isa trip

By Jordan Gerrans

Former boom apprentice Jaden Lloyd has made a striking return to the Sunshine State in recent weeks and his partner is eager to do the same when she commences her riding tenure in Queensland on Saturday.

Lloyd’s partner Courtney Ferris has followed him north from New South Wales to the Gold Coast to continue her apprenticeship at Aquis Park.

The 30-year-old will travel west to Mount Isa’s Buchanan Park on Saturday afternoon for a full book of engagements.

She appears a strong chance to kick-off with a victory with three key bookings for leading local horsewoman Denise Ballard.

Ferris hails from Ireland and has ridden across Sydney and Victoria in the earlier stages of her time in Australia before looking to the Sunshine State.

The apprentice hoop previously was indentured to high-level Sydney trainers Gary Portelli and Chris Waller.

She completed the majority of her trials for her apprenticeship with Waller before transferring to Portelli’s barn.

“I learnt a lot at Chris’, I basically learnt how to ride trackwork there,” Ferris said.

“There is a lot of good track riders at Chris’ so they are great to learn from.”

Ferris claims four kilograms on the country circuit and has three victories to her name since debuting in 2023.

The well-travelled hoop is a natural lightweight and has her riding weight listed at 50kg.

Ferris has been in Queensland since February and headed north searching for more race day experience.

“It has been good, I like it up here,” Ferris said.

“I came up for a bit of a change and hopefully more race riding opportunities.

“I always kind of wanted to move to Queensland and the opportunity was there so I took it.

“There are lots of opportunities for apprentices up here and they seem to be given a good go.”

Ferris’ partner Lloyd has been riding strongly in recent weeks after relocating back north to the Sunshine State.

After recent stints in Singapore and NSW, Lloyd has moved back to Queensland in recent weeks and is residing on the Gold Coast.

He collected a winning double at Dalby on Tuesday as well as three Eagle Farm winners in March.

“Jaden has been going really well,” she said.

“He has been flying, getting a few winners.

“He helps out whenever he can with my riding.”

The apprentice hoop heads to Mount Isa Race Club on Saturday for a full book of engagements.

She takes three rides for leading local conditioner Denise Ballard (Capiteel, Metal Bar and Panda Drum) as well as two for Julia Creek trainer Tanya Parry (Far Reaching and Dream High).

“Denise has been very good, organising a few rides for me,” she said.

“I have been watching as many of the replays as I can of my rides and they all look like really good rides for Saturday.

“Metal Bar is probably my best one for Saturday and all Denise’s ones are first-up from November of last year.

“Hopefully they can run good fresh. It is nice to get a full book. It would be really nice to get a win, if not two.”