By: Aubrie Green
Young apprentice Christopher Elliott, son of Stewart Elliot, is making waves at Lonestar Park. The new rider rode his first career race on Sunday, April 21st, at Lonestar park aboard Ru Mor Starter for trainer Terry Eoff. Sitting just behind the speed, the apprentice guided his mount to a closing victory like a seasoned rider.
Christopher is just 18 years old, having celebrated his birthday on April 19th, just a few days before his debut. He said he hadn’t always wanted to race ride, despite his famous lineage in the racing world; but when he was about 14 years old the passion for race riding began to take hold of him. Elliott began his riding education at JMG Stables in Oklahoma, a Hunter Jumper facility, and received a leg up from trainer Michael Gass, but credits his dad, Stewart, and uncle Richard Bracho for his development as a race rider. Stewart has been very supportive of Christopher’s dream, offering a lot of advice and direction. Christopher said about his dad, “One of the things was, he’d always watch a lot of races with me. On the off days we’d put Gulfstream, or other tracks…that way I could see and learn what different rider’s do. That really helped me a lot”.
Christopher’s preparation paid off with his opening win, followed by the standard jockey hazing, with buckets of water and baby powder being thrown on him after the race, and even being thrown into the fountain of the Lonestar paddock. “[Winning my first race], it was unbelievable. It really didn’t sink in until everything had already happened. I couldn’t even sleep the same night, or anything, it was unbelievable.”
Christopher Elliott on Ru Mor in the Winners Circle
PHOTO CREDIT: Dustin Orona Photography
Elliott’s week was completed with a pick-up mount on the turf, adding new experiences to his belt. “It was good, I had a good trip… a good experience. The horse broke good. As soon as I broke (I was the 5 out of 13) I was able to drop down onto the rail. I stayed on the rail, tipped out down the stretch… it was a good experience”.
Christopher’s family ties create a different dynamic for the apprentice rider, as he shares agent Scott Hare with his dad, Stewart, providing a team unit, while at the same time competing against one another in the afternoons. Christopher recounted a second-place finish to his dad and looks forward to future wins against him.
For now, Elliot plans to ride the meet at Lonestar, but will keep his options open for his next move. Since his debut victory less than two weeks ago, Elliott has finished in the money 50% of the time.
