Emotional wins reduce Jamie Kah to tears

Star jockey Jamie Kah shook her head in disbelief as she crossed the finish line to win the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on Super Saturday.

The 28-year-old is not typically one for emotion on the racetrack.

A steel resolve and will to win, absolutely.

But Kah, a 12-time Group 1 winner, including three in as many Saturdays after recent success in the Blue Diamond Stakes and Australian Guineas, could not keep emotions in check after the Newmarket and her earlier win in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes.

In last year’s Sires’ Produce, Kah sustained a career-threatening head injury after her mount clipped heels. She was speared into the turf.

Her ride to win the Sires’ on Traffic Warden for Godolphin trainer James Cummings was sublime – just as her race craft and handling has been in the past month especially.

“Lost for words, it’s a much better result than last year,” Kah said choked up after the win.

“I didn’t think it would hit me, but it’s hit me.”

Kah with Darren Holland, the father of Dean Holland. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

The Newmarket triumph in the royal blue Godolphin silks aboard crack colt Cylinder – 30 minutes later – hit differently again.

“I thought I was a tough person but I’m not today,” Kah said.

“Even (winning) the last race (Sires’) was massive for me, to get through that and have it behind me.”

Kah was meant to ride favourite In Secret in the Newmarket last year for Godolphin but for her severe concussion and bleed on the brain.

The late jockey Dean Holland picked up the ride 12 months ago and won the Newmarket, just weeks before his tragic death in a race fall at Donald on April 24.

Jamie Kah receives a hug from Dean Holland mum Belinda. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Holland’s family, parents Darren and Belinda, wife Lucy and their children Harley, Franklin, Luca and Lily, cheered for Kah on Saturday.

“This is for Dean Holland,” Kah said.

“I couldn’t imagine anyone riding that horse (In Secret) as well as he did last year and I felt so happy that I gave him the opportunity to win the Newmarket.”

Kah, surrounded by the Holland family immediately after the Newmarket, could not believe her latest Group 1 deed.

Jamie Kah pilots Cylinder to victory in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

She spent a few minutes in the jockeys’ room to compose herself and re-emerged in the mounting yard to receive the inaugural Dean Holland Trophy.

“Today has been amazing and for Godolphin, they have always supported me,” Kah said.

“Last year I didn’t get the opportunity to win the Newmarket for them but Dean Holland did which is great.

“It is great to get over last year and start again and I don’t think any day will top today.”