Popular jumps jockey Darryl Horner and his family will leave Warrnambool early in the New Year to work for top jumps trainer Eric Musgrove at Coronet Bay south east of Melbourne.
Horner said he had mixed emotions about making the move but it was a great opportunity to learn from one of Australia’s greatest jumping trainers.
“My wife Jackie (Beriman) and I had a couple of long discussions,” he said. 
“Warrnambool has been a great spot for us and it was a difficult decision to make but it was just too good an opportunity to knock back. 
“Eric is highly respected and has about 30 horses in work and a lot of them are jumpers. I’d like to think I’ll be getting a few rides for the stable but the final decision is up to the owners of course.”
The 27-year-old said he would not be lost to Warrnambool.
“We’ve still got a property in Warrnambool,” Horner said. 
“Warrnambool is a great spot to live and I’d like to think that we’ll come back and settle here one day but while I’m young and keen to work hard I’ve got to make the move for my family. 
“I’m hoping to come back down here to school some horses over the jumps every fortnight to three weeks. 
“The trainers in Warrnambool including Patrick Ryan, Peter Chow and Simon Ryan have been great to me and I’m extremely thankful.”
Jackie Beriman, who has a dual jockey-trainer licence, will have three horses in work at Musgrove’s property.
Jumps ready to kick
With nearly $5 million in prizemoney up for grabs across two states and 83 races to be run, jumps racing looks likely to boom in 2020.
The newly released program for next year offers $3.8 million in prizemoney in Victoria and just over $1 million in South Australia. 
The 2020 program has been developed by Racing Victoria and Thoroughbred Racing SA in consultation with the participating race clubs.
Trialling will commence at Cranbourne on Friday February 21, with the first meeting of the season scheduled for Warrnambool on Thursday March 12. 
The J.J. Houlahan Championship Series, which takes in 16 feature races, will continue in 2020. 
There are six meetings with four or more jumps races. 
The Oakbank carnival in April will feature jumps races worth $360,000 while Warrnambool in May offers prizemoney of $785,000 for the jumpers. 
It’s anticipated that the maiden hurdle on the first day of the Warrnambool carnival will again see divisions, should a large number of acceptances be received. 
The Victorian season will conclude with Grand National Steeplechase meeting at Ballarat on Sunday August 23, an all-jumps day. South 
Australia’s jumping season will conclude on Sunday September 13 at Mt Gambier. 
Victoria will again offer a $10,000 bonus for first-time jumps winners in that state, an important incentive for owners and trainers.
Flying visit
Talented jockey Daniel Moor was back where his riding career began last week, in Warrnambool.
Moor, home to catch up with family and friends, had two rides at the ’Bool last Thursday before heading back to Singapore to fulfil riding engagements on New Year’s Day.
Moor, who has been riding in Singapore for 18 months, has been granted a 12-month extension on his riding licence. 
“It’s a great lifestyle over there,” the former Warrnambool College student said. 
“I suppose the only downside is the humidity. Apart from that it’s great. 
“They only race twice a week and there’s no travelling. My wife Lauren and our children Jack and Penelope are really enjoying it. 
“I think I’ve ridden 45 winners since I’ve been there and I’ve received wonderful support from owners and trainers but it’s always good to come home to catch up with family and friends.”
Black-booker
• Mirkwood Forest: Forget he went around in a maiden at Colac last Saturday. Making his racecourse debut for top trainer Philip Stokes, Mirkwood Forest sustained abrasions to his off-hind leg en route to the course. He laid in under pressure in the straight and for a short distance near the 100m was awkward on the heels of eventual winner Lansbrook.