Pateman, the Provincial Prince.
18 January, 2017
Thoroughbred
There’s no other way to describe Mitchell Pateman’s form over the past few months, other than saying he’s been on fire.
It’s highly unlikely to not see Pateman’s name against a winner or two after a meeting in the Great Southern.
With the Mungrup Stud Sprint set to run at Mount Barker on Sunday, Pateman will be looking to hold onto his championship title that he earnt last year aboard Dream Lifter.
Pateman’s uncle, Paul Hunter will saddle Dream Lifter and Pateman will ride him as top weight (59.5kg) of the twelve horse field.
Pateman is confident in the Danehill Express gelding’s ability to go back to back this weekend.
“I’m pretty confident in Dream Lifter.” Pateman said.
“He won this race last year and he’s unbeaten down here, I think he’ll go well.”
Pateman has partnered Dream Lifter for six of his eight wins.
When Pateman lost his father in July of 2013, racing lost a talented horseman. Michael Pateman had trained 300 winners before he lost his long and treacherous battle with cancer, leaving behind Mitchell and his two younger siblings, Jessica and Josh.
“Dad has always been my biggest inspiration in racing. From a young age I always went to the races with him. Every winner I ride, he’s riding with me.” Pateman said.
“My favourite all time win was on Black Romeo. He was my first winner since dad had passed. It definitely felt like dad was riding with me that day.”
Pateman’s bloodlines run deep with racing ties. Both parents were former jockeys, and his mother continues to train winners with her son in the saddle.
“I always knew that I wanted to be a jockey because mum and dad were. One day I want to follow on from them and train myself.”
Pateman has also brought home numerous winners for his father’s two brothers, Jason and Darryn as well as his grandfather, Noel Pateman.
“It’s so good to be riding winners for any member of my family, it makes it all the more special.
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride a couple of very good horses for my uncles in Dream Lifter and Showy Chloe.
“I’ve had a couple of my biggest wins in my career on them.”
Pateman’s most impressive triumph of late were his four winners on Boxing Day at the Albany meeting. His last winner for the day aboard his mother’s horse, Cosmah Domination.
Known for his dramatic salutes when he crosses the finish line first, Pateman will most certainly be looking to the sky if he can get Dream Lifter above and beyond again this year.
Rebecca Shanks