JIMMY ORMAN - THE HRO MIDWEEK INTERVIEW

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Jimmy Orman was in Brisbane recently enjoying an off-season for the first time in his riding career when he spoke to HRO’s Graham Potter about the change in lifestyle, both personal and professional, that eventuated following his acceptance of an offer to take up a prestigious riding contract in Hong Kong back in February. Relaxed, confident and, above all, a very happy and content family man in a very good place, the three-time Brisbane Jockeys’ Premiership winner gave his calm overview of all that has transpired in his career over the last, hectic six months.
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HRO:

“We had a chat at the track a couple of years ago about the possibility of you getting an opportunity to ride overseas. At the time you thought that was highly unlikely given the weight you ride at …but here we are. How did you get the Hong Kong callup come about?

JO:

There was a fall … four jockeys came down at Sha Tin and there were injuries. I got the call to come over, but I initially was only going to be there for six weeks. Then I was lucky enough to get an extension to the end of the season … and then, lucky enough again to another six months this season.

“So, yeah, how did I get there. I got lucky … and then I got luckier.

HRO:

Luck would only have played a part in the riding licence extensions. I’m sure, while results obviously top the tree, the way you conduct yourself … ie your professionalism would not have gone unnoticed.

“There will obviously be a huge difference between heading to Hong Kong ‘stone cold,’ so to speak … stepping into something of an unknown at short notice, as you did … to heading back there with several months experience of the Hong Kong racing precinct in the bank."

JO:

“It’s a lot different going back this time. I know the trainers now. I know all of the trainers … every trainer. I didn’t know any trainer before I left except for probably Mark Newnham and a few of the Aussies. I know a lot of the horses. I’m starting to build connections with owners.

“It’s not going to get any easier, but at least I’ve got a base to work from.”

“Towards the end of the season I was getting eight or nine rides a meeting. I rode six winners out of the last ten meetings, so the last couple of months was really good. Thirteen winners overall in my time there … I was happy with that.

HRO:

The setup in Hong Kong … you have to source your own rides?

JO:

“It’s not like in Queensland, where there are twenty trainers at the Sunshine Coast alone. In Hong Kong there are only twenty-two trainers … so there are a lot less trainers so, honestly, you don’t need a manager there. You can do it yourself.

“I’ve got into that role pretty good. You know it’s your own fault if you stuff something up, so it switches you on a lot because you have always got to be thinking … where is this horse running … where is that horse running?"

HRO:

When most people refer to Hong Kong they talk about it being one of the most competitive racing precincts in the world. Is that to do with the jockey’s competitiveness … or the way the races unfold compared to elsewhere … pace-wise … or things like that?

JO:

“It’s the elite isn’t it … maybe that’s why it is so competitive, I’m not sure.

“There is no doubt it is the most competitive place in the world to ride, but I can’t answer the specifics of why that is, to be honest. I don’t know.

“It’s rare to see a jockey striking at over seven percent, eight percent. Obviously, the top jockeys do … but a lot of the others are striking at five or six percent, so it shows how hard it is to get a good ride. Maybe that’s got to do with Zac Purton’s domination.

“I love the challenge though. Hopefully I can do well,”

HRO:

“On a personal note … family life … you had to uproot your family to go to Hong Kong and take the settling in process on trust. That transition … with two young children … must have been a challenge in itself?

JO:

“My wife loves Hong Kong. She’s happy and that’s the main thing. I think it is a good experience for the children. They’ll be going to school there now. They are happy as long as they are with us.

“I’m happy riding there so everything seems fine.”
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Jimmy Orman flew back to Hong Kong on Tuesday to prepare for the new racing season there which kicks off on Sunday, September 7 at Sha Tin. He goes with the best wishes of HRO and that of the entire Queensland racing community who he has served so well.

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