In Tyler Schiller’s first official season as a senior rider, he has cemented his place among Sydney’s top-five jockeys, won a brace of majors including a Doncaster Mile, and tasted success on the international stage.
It continues to be a stunning rise for the country-born hoop, who is still pinching himself over the year that was.
Sydney’s champion apprentice in 2021-22, Schiller broke through for his first Group 1 success last year in The Galaxy and finished third in the junior title race despite outriding his claim before the halfway mark of that season.
Ticking off a few early milestones is no guarantee of success, but his steely work ethic, natural talent and humble approach are serving him well.
Schiller has ridden 66 Sydney winners this term to sit fourth on the premiership, behind only big guns James Mcdonald, Nash Rawiller and Jason Collett.
He has added Group 1 victories for one of the country’s most experienced trainers in Les Bridge, who he combined with to claim the Doncaster aboard Celestial Legend, and one of its young stars in Annabel Neasham, who provided his Canterbury Stakes success on Lady Laguna.
Last weekend, Schiller experienced his first overseas foray with five rides in Singapore and even managed a win.
“I’m shocked I’ve done that much this season,” Schiller said.
“To come out of my time and be going this well this season, I’m very grateful to all the trainers who have supported me.
“It has been a crazy season and the big races I’ve won, I haven’t expected.”
His Singapore visit has whetted Schiller’s appetite to experience other racing jurisdictions.
While the sport there will shut down later this year, he is hoping he gets another opportunity to ride at Kranji before it closes, while Hong Kong is also on his long-term radar.
“Singapore is obviously closing soon, but I’d still love to go back there before they close if I could. We will see what opportunities arise,” Schiller said.
“I’d love to do it in Hong Kong too, do what James McDonald is doing by popping in and out without having a fulltime stint there but still getting a taste of it. Hopefully that is the plan in the long run.”
Schiller will be at Randwick this weekend for the final Saturday metropolitan meeting of the season and has rides in nine of the 10 races, including Peter and Paul Snowden-trained youngster Sakima who he partnered to a debut fifth on the Kensington track in March.
She has since returned with a first-up win at the same venue and is well regarded by the stable.
“I was surprised the price she went around in a smaller field at her second start with race experience,” Schiller said.
“She was a little bit under-rated last start, but she came out and showed she was good enough.”
He will be out to continue his winning partnership with the Neasham-trained Defining, who he expects to be hard to beat in the James Squire Handicap (1800m) provided she handles a 400m distance rise.
The mare overcame a wide run to score at Randwick last start and Schiller said a better draw would be an advantage on Saturday.
“She was very tough last start sitting deep and doing a bit of work and still powering away,” he said.
“If she can see out the 1800, she should be right in the finish because her last run was terrific.”
Of his remaining rides, Schiller is hoping second emergency Sessions Road can gain a start in the final race and expects him to be competitive if he runs.