By Michael Manley Peter Mertens VALE
The outpouring of emotion for Peter Mertens this week perfectly captured the immense popularity of the former top jockey within the racing industry. Riders, owners, friends, and trainers have united to pay tribute to the 58-year-old, who tragically lost his battle with pancreatic cancer last weekend. And it’s not surprising, as those fortunate enough to have met or known Mertens can attest to his genuine smile and sincere interest in others. Mertens’ riding career exemplifies the classic late-bloomer success story, with his peak period as a jockey beginning in his mid-30s. He commenced his apprenticeship with trainer George O’Mealey at Sale before transferring to Lloyd Timbs. Gippsland served as his base throughout his career, where he achieved remarkable success and earned the moniker ‘The King Of Gippsland’ due to his unrivalled number of wins in the region. Despite a setback – a broken neck in 1988, leading to a 14-month hiatus and a stalled career – Mertens’ return in the early 1990s signalled a hunger for success, and the country wins started pouring in once again. City trainers began to take notice, none more so than the budding Mick Price. Their collaboration proved formidable, with both making waves in the 1990s. Together, they celebrated their first Group 1 victory when Rustic Dream triumphed in the 1999 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, marking Mertens’ inaugural win at that level at the age of 34. Price also gave Mertens his first Melbourne Cup ride on Toll Bell in 1994. Mertens ultimately rode in five Melbourne Cups, two of them on a horse named Big Pat, trained by Peter Tulloch. One of his seven Group 1 wins came aboard Big Pat when they claimed victory in the South Australian Derby in 2001. Two years later, Mertens rode Big Pat again in the Melbourne Cup, this time for his close friend Robbie Griffiths, who had taken over training responsibilities for an ownership group led by his then-manager, Deane Lester.
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