Jockey Tyler Schiller dedicates first Group 1 win to sick father at Golden Slipper day in Rosehill

It was an emotional Golden Slipper day for Tyler Schiller, with the young star jockey fighting back tears after dedicating his maiden Group 1 victory to his father, Glenn, who has cancer.

The 24-year-old is still just a trainee, but he carried Mariamia to victory in the million Group 1 Galaxy with all the composure of a grizzled veteran at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon.

The popular hoop, who won the 2021/2022 Sydney metropolitan apprentice title, hails from Young on the NSW Riverina, and is the son of prominent local harness coach, Glenn Schiller. His grandfather, Peter, was also an excellent trotting trainer.

Unfortunately, times have been difficult for the tight-knit family of late, and Schiller’s first thoughts after winning his first Group 1 race were of his father.

He was fighting back tears as he described how much riding his first Group 1 winner meant to him.

“It feels unreal,” Schiller said plainly on Channel 7’s coverage of the Golden Slipper day.

‘My dad (Glenn), has cancer. All he wanted to see was him win a Group 1 and go out there and do it today, it was unreal.”

Schiller could no longer hold back the tears after ending the interview with a heartbreaking and heartbreaking cry at the same time: ‘A big hello to mom and dad back home.’

The Joe Pride-trained mare displayed a brilliant stand-up turn in the straight as Schiller expertly led her along the rail to upset the well-supported favorite Uncommon James with Cannonball finishing in third.

It continues what is a remarkable rise through the hockey ranks for the talented youngster, who currently sits second in the Sydney Jockey Premiership despite still only being a trainee.

Schiller also got emotional talking about his boss Mark Newnham, a legendary teacher of young riders and Group 1 winning trainer.

I can’t thank you enough for the opportunities I have, it’s unreal. I’m so glad I made it,” he said, after finishing fifth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas on Newnham’s horse Matcha Latte.

Tyler Schiller brings Mariamia home in the Group 1 Galaxy at Rosehill, finishing ahead of favorites Uncommon James and Cannonball

Schiller, known as one of the best dressed in the jockey room, arrives at Rosehill for what would turn out to be the biggest day of his career.

Racing NSW head jockey coach Corey Brown, a 49-time Group 1 winner, sparked even more excitement for Schiller after giving his teammate a big hug.

“I wish I hadn’t cried about it, but it’s the best feeling in the world,” Schiller told Brown afterwards on Sky Racing.

It was also a brilliant win for the six-year-old mare Mariamia, who according to Schiller made it “easy”.

‘It’s the best feeling in the world, doing it on a mare like that.

She has come through the grades very well and Joe (Pride) has changed her, but gosh, she is a good mare,” she said.

“I thought it was inevitable in the 100m, she was making it easy, no one was catching her.”

‘To see her free ball in the last 200m, she is a super mare and I am very grateful to Joe (Pride) and the connections for putting me on. I can’t believe I won a Group 1.’

Tyler Schiller waves to the crowd following his first Group 1 victory after beating the Galaxy on Saturday

Pride himself couldn’t have been more, well, proud, both of Schiller and his star mare.

“Looking for a jockey in these big races at a lightweight, you like someone who can ride the horse naturally, and Tyler is a natural,” he said after the race.

‘He won more winners for me last season than anyone else, and here’s the payoff.

It’s pretty special. I have been very happy with her (Mariamia) all the preparation. She didn’t see the 1300m start the other day, but she freshened up and got back on a sprint ride, she was very dynamic there today.

“That’s his crowning moment, now he’s won a Galaxy.”

Racing at Rosehill continues this Saturday for the day of the Tancred Stakes.