Campbell Rawiller’s Kyneton curtain call

When a young Campbell Rawiller dreamed of a being a jockey, the chequered flag being waved on his career after a highweight race at Kyneton with him barely into his mid-20s was not part of the fantasy.

But that’s how it will end, with the 24-year-old preparing for his final race rides at the picturesque Victorian track this Thursday.

Rawiller committed to the agonising decision in recent weeks, but it is one that has been brewing for much longer than that.

“It’s not something I have just impulsively thought of, the last six to 12 months I haven’t really felt where I need to be out there and mentally and physically and it’s been quite tough,” a candid Rawiller said.

“From a young age, all you want to do is be a jockey, but once you grow older you get a little bit more mature and start to think more of your health and what you do really value.

“I’ve had a great run with race riding. I’ve loved every bit of it, but at the same time, it’s a decision that has to be made. It’s tough but it’s the right thing to do.”

Rawiller has two rides at Kyneton, the Pat Carey and Harris Walker-trained Grant Me A Wish in the opening event and Peter Foster’s Mr Zigmund in Race 2.

They will carry 67.5kg and 65kg respectively, which has made the days leading up to his farewell more enjoyable than the lead-up to his most recent ride, which came aboard Spirit Of Gaylard at Warwick Farm last Wednesday.

Rawiller rode that horse at 59kg, the lightest he has ridden in seven months. He was back up to 64.5kg by Monday.

Spirit Of Gaylard is among just 19 rides for Rawiller this year with his only winner coming aboard Party Stop in a Class B Handicap at King Island on January 11.

That $3400 event is a far cry from the heights Rawiller seemed destined for after riding his first winner at just his second meeting, at Moe in September 2019.

That was one of 75 winners in his initial season, which included victory in Racing Victoria’s Rising Stars Series and had him rated one of the most promising riders in the land.

A further 40 winners followed in the 2020/21 season and 37 the year after, before weight started to take hold.

Rawiller initially took inspiration from what he’d seen other member of the family overcome, with his father Nash and uncle Brad able to rack up scores of Group 1 wins between them despite defying nature to remain in the saddle.

Campbell had turned to the jumps circuit by early 2023 and made an immediate impression, partnering the Eric Musgrove-trained Circle The Sun to victory at his first ride in April 2023.

Soon after, Rawiller won at the famous Warrnambool Carnival aboard Circle The Sun, who also carried him to victory in that year’s $150,000 Australian Hurdle.

Later in 2023 he partnered Nassak Diamond to a seven-length win in the $300,000 Jericho Cup.

They will end up the biggest of Rawiller’s wins, a tally that sits at 193 heading into Kyneton, achievements he is immensely proud of.

“I feel like I’ve exceeded my own expectations,” he said.

“All I ever wanted to do was ride in a race and, from there, I’ve just set goals and I’ve achieved a lot of things I’ve been happy to fulfil.

“My first year, when I rode a lot more winners than I ever expected, that was huge for me as an apprentice.

“When I was a kid growing up, I would have never thought I’d be in a position to win an Australian Hurdle.

“I’ve never ridden a Group winner, but I don’t frown upon that. I had my chances and loved being a part of the bigger races.

“I definitely feel I’ve fulfilled as much as I could and I’ve had an absolute ball doing it.”

Rawiller might be retiring from race riding, but he won’t be giving up early mornings with a foray into a possible training career among the post-riding options for the youngster who has seen uncles and grandparents train throughout his life.

“It’s not the industry that’s led me to this point, it’s just the race riding, which has been so tough mentally and physically,” he said.

“The industry is where my passion is and I’d like to train one day.

“I’ve got a lot to learn, I feel like I’m a real open book and experience is everything, so I’m willing to put myself out there and get as much as I can.

“I’m really excited for the future. This is the best I’ve felt in six months and it does just feel like a bit weight off shoulders drawing the line and moving on to building new pathways into my life and career.”

 

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