Braidon Small, a jockey who underwent surgery and treatment for a brain tumor in 2023, rode Instigator to victory in the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool on Thursday. The win came in Australia's most grueling race, run over 5500 meters with 33 jumps.
Small, who faced radiation and chemotherapy after his diagnosis, said he kept moving forward despite the challenges. The victory was particularly emotional as it came on May 7, a date with multiple coincidences for the horse and rider.
Instigator, trained by Aaron Purcell, won by a half-head from Hit The Road Jack, with Gambu third. The win was Instigator's last race start, as horses in Australia cannot race beyond their 13th birthday.
Small noted that Instigator had saddle blanket seven and was in race seven, and the horse had also won his first race on May 7, 2017, in Cologne. Purcell, who previously won the Grand Annual in 2008, praised Small's dedication over 15 years.
