Hearn makes long-awaited return to riding

Jockey Alex Hearn thought he was done with racing but says ‘unfinished business’ is the motivating factor driving his comeback to the sport after a long absence.

Busselton-born Alex Hearn, who commenced his apprenticeship in 2011 and retired from the saddle nearly a decade ago, returns to the riding ranks at Pinjarra on Wednesday.

Hearn hung up his riding boots after partnering Shutthegate at a Gold Coast meeting in 2015 and rode his last winner aboard Moonlight Dancer at Ipswich a day prior.

Hearn, who has ridden 135 winners since starting his career at Northam, is hungrier than ever to make a successful comeback after his interest in racing was rekindled six months ago.

“I have been back in WA for about five years and have been around horses doing some farrier work,” Hearn said to Racing WA.

“I was watching the races one day and thought what’s stopping me from giving it another crack.

“It was about six months ago that I started getting an itch to get back into it.

“I am one hundred per cent in and want to give it a proper go.

“The last time I was riding I wasn’t that keen; I don’t think I was that interested.

“Now I’m doing all the little things, watching races, watching horses, learning what I can do to make a horse go better.

“I’m really, really driven to give it a good crack.”

Hearn has left no stone unturned in his comeback drive, his attituded matched by his determination.

In his break from racing Hearn ballooned to nearly 90kg, and it took a tortuous and dedicated regime to get back to his riding weight.

Hearn says it’s been a physical and mental fight, but the rewards will be worth the battle.

“My fitness is real good,” Hearn said.

“I’m training for a half marathon in four weeks’ time.

“I’ve got a jockey dietician I’m working with and she’s got me real good.

“I actually lost 32kg to make the comeback.

“I had quite a bit of weight to lose and it took every bit of four months.

“I’m at about 56kg and can ride 54kg.

“I’ve had a couple of good hit outs at trials and it felt pretty easy.”

On Wednesday, Hearn’s services have been picked up by trainers Tom Wolfe and Tim Crosby.

He rides Millicentbystander (R1), Universal Hotness (R2), Make Your Point (R4) and Looks (R7).

“Make Your Point ran third in town last start and Tim Crosby has a pretty good opinion of Universal Hotness,” Hearn said.

“I’ve ridden it a bit in track work and it goes alright, it’s never won a race, but you never know.

“It’s had the one race and ran third.”