He has one of the most famous surnames in Australian racing, boasts extensive international riding experience – and is the new member of the Sydney apprentices ranks.
Luke Dittman, the 22-year-old son of Hall of Fame jockey Mick Dittman, is chasing his dream. After riding at the Royal Randwick barrier trials on Monday, Racing NSW approved Dittman’s licence to ride in races.
“I can’t wait,” Dittman said yesterday. “This is all I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.”
Dittman has been apprenticed to Craig Ritchie at Warwick Farm since the start of September. He could have his first ride for Ritchie as early as Thursday at Ballarat or next Saturday at Kembla Grange.
Although it has been his lifetime ambition to follow in his famous father’s footsteps, Dittman’s riding career has been punctuated by weight issues and visa problems.
Dittman began riding seven years ago in New Zealand under Alan Jones before eventually moving back to the Gold Coast where he was apprenticed to Maryann Thexton for 18 months. However, increasing weight restricted his race riding opportunities and eventually the young rider headed overseas on a “working holiday”.
He rode trackwork in France where his natural horsemanship skills were recognised and he was approached to sign on as an apprentice for champion English-based trainer Luca Cumani at Newmarket.
“When I flew back to England, the visa rules had changed and I couldn’t get a licence to ride,” Dittman said.
Then Dittman’s weight “blew out” and he was out of the sport for a couple of years. But becoming a jockey was scratch he just couldn’t itch and with perseverance and dedication. Dittman is back to 56kg and will be able to ride soon at 55kg.
“As you get older, it does become a little easier to manage your weight,” Dittman said. “I chose Sydney because I thought this is the best racing in Australia so why not?”
So, did Dittman seek any advice from his father, a riding legend who won three Sydney premierships, 88 Group One races, and a member of the exclusive “Grand Slam club” with wins in the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate (twice) and Golden Slipper (twice)?
“Yes, and Dad just said if this is what you want to you, then give it a go,” Luke Dittman said.
– Racing NSW
