Jockey Kayla Nisbet hangs up saddle to pursue racing media career

Less than two weeks after landing the most significant win of her 14-year career, Canberra-based jockey Kayla Nisbet is set to retire to join the racing media.

Nisbet, 29, will ride for the final time during the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup carnival on May 2 and 3.

It will be an especially emotional farewell for Nisbet because one of her principal rides over the two days will be for trainer Doug Gorrel on Asgarda in the Town Plate.

Nisbet rode Asgarda to victory in the $1 million Country Championships Final at Randwick on April 6.

That success promises to be a standout moment for the Nisbet, the daughter of jockey-turned-trainer John Nisbet, after making her debut in the saddle at Canberra in October 2010.

Nisbet will join the Sky Racing team as a presenter and form analyst, covering the southern region of NSW from racetracks where she plied her trade in chalking up almost 600 career winners.

She will start her new role on May 6.

“It was my dream growing up to be a jockey, and I am really proud of what I achieved in my professional career riding, although it’s now time for me to look ahead at the next chapter,” Nisbet said.

“When the opportunity at Sky Racing came up, I thought it was the perfect fit to combine my passion with a different career path within the same industry.”

Nisbet will contribute to Sky Racing, Sky Thoroughbred Central, Sky Sports Radio, RadioTAB, and Sky/TAB digital platforms.