The Everest winning jockey Sam Clipperton retires
Five-time Group 1 and The Everest winning jockey Sam Clipperton has announced he’s ridden his last race, stating on social media that it’s time he pursued other goals in life.
The 30-year-old has been riding for 15 years, his first ride coming in July 2010 aboard Nine Dragons at Wyong, and the hoop, best known for his association with The Everest winner Think About It, said it was time to move on.
“My last day as a professional jockey. A decision I have treated with the utmost respect. After 15 years of race riding, the time is now to peruse other goals and I am excited for what is in store for the future,” Clipperton posted on Instagram.
Clipperton had one ride on the 7th of December at Rosehill, finishing sixth of six aboard the Les Bridge trained Scorching Legend, while his last winner came aboard the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou trained Revolt on the 23rd of November at Warwick Farm.
In 2016 Clipperton rode a stint in Hong Kong, with his biggest of 62 winners coming aboard cult hero sprinter Hot King Prawn in the 2018 Group 2 Premier Bowl (1200m), but it was more recently back home that his flagship partnership came to be.
Clipperton rode the Joseph Pride trained Think About It in nine of his 11 wins, all nine coming consecutively from a benchmark 72 at Warwick Farm, through to back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) before also taking out the $20 million The Everest.
While Clipperton hasn’t made any announcement on what he intends to do post-life as a jockey, the former dual NSW champion apprentice said he was thankful for all the support.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me along my journey.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...