Just six weeks after resuming his New Zealand riding career, Craig Grylls has hit a new career high and delivered a first for a family dynasty of jockeys.

 

The 28-year-old won the $1 million Gr. 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie on Saturday with Crown Prosecutor, giving the $105 longshot a perfect run and guiding him to victory by a head in a pulsating finish.

 

“Emotions are pretty high,” said Grylls, who had also battled a bug during the week leading into the race. “Stephen (Marsh, trainer) and his team have done a great job and I couldn’t believe it.

 

“I’ve been crook as a dog for the past three days. I managed to get through my rides on Wednesday and Thursday, then (on Friday) I spent the whole day in bed.

 

“I woke up this morning feeling a lot better, so it’s great to get the job done.”

 

Grylls spent most of the last two years in Singapore, where he rode 44 winners. But he and his wife Milou were keen to return to the Kiwi lifestyle, and Grylls resumed his New Zealand career on Wellington Cup day at Trentham on January 19.

 

He has wasted no time in making an impact, riding 13 winners since his return to boost his overall New Zealand tally to 726. Nine of those have been at Group One level – the Easter Handicap (Pasta Post), Diamond Stakes (Kaaptan), Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Nacho Man), Thorndon Mile (A Touch Of Ruby), NRM Sprint (Viadana), New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Viadana), Windsor Park Plate (Pure Champion), Livamol Classic (Willie Cazals) and Saturday’s Derby.

 

Grylls has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather John and father Gary, while his sister Bridget has also ridden successfully on both sides of the Tasman.

 

The late John Grylls won more than 700 races including an Auckland Cup, Easter Handicap and New Zealand Oaks, but never the Derby at Ellerslie. It’s a similar story with Craig’s father, retired jockey Gary Grylls, who won more than 1200 races including 19 at Group One level but not the Derby.

 

Craig’s previous best result in a New Zealand Derby was a sixth placing on Charles Road two years ago.

 

He had the opportunity to ride in the Singapore Derby last year on Kingsman, carrying the Te Akau colours of his beaten New Zealand Derby rival In A Twinkling. In the lead-up to that race, Grylls told the Singapore Turf Club that a Derby win was high on his wish list.

 

“It would be such a big thrill to just win a Derby,” he said. “I’ve come close in Macau, and I finished sixth in the New Zealand Derby.

 

“Dad never won a New Zealand Derby. It would be nice to have that feather in the cap for the family!”

 

With a stunning performance on a 100-to-one outsider, Grylls has done exactly that.

 

Adding to a remarkable day in the saddle at Ellerslie on Saturday, Grylls also won the $60,000 Listed Mufhasa FastTrack Stakes with a ground-saving rails ride on the $13.70 outsider Qiji Express.