Chris Taylor (Chippy as he is generally known) although still young in years has a wealth of experience which he is bursting to share with trainers who give him the opportunity. Having ridden overseas with great success, and with top trainers, Chippy would be a great asset to any and all the stables he rides for. He won the first race at Clairwood on Sunday on Rockvale,  and this could mark the beginning of many more to come.
What is your name and age? Chris “Chippy” Taylor, 30yrs old.
Where do you live?  Gillitts, KZN.
Tell us about your family?  I have a girlfriend and 2 furry kids.
As a young man what were your main interests?  I was always fascinated by numbers and facts, played every sport I could and was on my way to provincial hockey trials if i didn't get into the Academy.　
How did you become involved in racing and when did you get your jockey’s licence?  My parents had a friend who knew trainer Des Egdes. They saw an advert in a Computaform, after a day at the races at Turffontein. I applied for the end of year interviews in' 93 and was the 1st appie taken from the Jhb intake. I received my Jockey's licence in January 1999.
Who were the trainers who had the biggest influence on you when you first came into the game?  Tony Millard was the first trainer I rode regular work for. If he had his way I would have been his live-in apprentice after 6 months but the academy turned our request down!  Robin Watkinson was the trainer that influenced my race riding and was a great mentor on a professional and personal level. I ended my apprenticeship with David Ferraris, a hard task master but an easy boss to live with.
Where did you start your career?  In 1999 I qualified in Jhb but received a heavy riding ban of 2 months, for not riding a horse out. I couldnt buy a ride in Jhb so I moved back to Durban. This was on advice from Weichong Marwing, after I had an offer from trainer Watkinson. Back in KZN I was able to get regular rides and travel to PE and Kimberley, weekly, with decent success.
How long did you ride in Durban before furthering your career overseas?  I was in Durban for 3 years, riding around the country. In 2002 I had a car accident, on the way to races in Kimberley. I broke my hand and was out of action for 2 months before going back to racing too early which took its toll later on. By the time an offer came to move to Dubai, in July, I was more than ready to try something new because the bank balance was rather low.
What was your biggest success before going overseas? I won the Listed Darley Arabian Open on Vodacom July Day. I had a few top 5 log finishes in Kimberley and some Graded Race placings.
Which countries did you ride in overseas?  I have raced in Zim, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and was the 1st SA jockey to ride on contract in South Korea. I twice rode work on Jay Peg, in Singapore, for Herman Brown for the Singapore Airlines International Cup in 2008 and 2009. I have also attended race meetings in Mauritius, Aus and USA.
Tell us about the trainers you rode for and about the success you had overseas?  Based in Dubai, my longest work contract was with Erwan Charpy but I raced for most of the local trainers. My best associations were with European trainers Rod Simpson and Eric Lemartinel, who gave me my biggest chances. I rode for Eric in the 2007 Dubai Khayala Classic on World Cup night and also won the Abu Dhabi Classic for him. He also let me win on Mizzna, his best Arabian filly who went on to win 5 Graded races on her way to win the 2008 Khayala Classic. In ‘04/’05 I managed to lead the Qatar Championship for the 1st half of the season but my stable (Ibrahim al Malki) didn't have the big race horses and we finished in 5th spot on the log. I rode in most of the big races as a pacemaker for the top stables when not riding for my own trainer. My most successful season was ‘06/’07. I hit all of my targets. Apart from riding at the Dubai World Cup meeting and finishing in the top 5 again, I won 5 features in the Middle East including The Heir Apparent Trophy race (The Prince of Qatar raceday). It is the 1st leg of Qatar's 3 big racedays and put my horse, Stephano in contention for Thoroughbred Horse of the Year honours. We finished 2nd in the 2nd leg International Cup but he went lame days before the final leg of The Emirs Trophy race (The King's raceday). I also ran 4th in the Arabian version of the GR1 Emirs Sword race, which is now the World’s richest Arabian race worth US$1million. The Arabian I rode in that race, and for the whole season, Nil Blanc, earned the 4yr old title that year and can still be seen running at this years Carnival at Meydan having finished 2nd in the Arabian Maktoum Challenge.
How long were you away from SA?  7 years in total, only coming back to SA for the winter months while Dubai had their summer break. I can honestly say it is good to be home and I look forward to being able to travel around our beautiful country again.
What did you find were the main differences between riding in SA and in the countries you rode in overseas? Pace is a lot truer overseas and safety is a bigger issue. Jockeys are treated like normal sportsman, even more so in the Asian countries due to the big betting turnovers. Horses seem to have more stamina but very few can quicken like horses do in SA. Training styles adapt to each place in their own way.
What do you think are the most important lessons you learned by riding overseas?  My judgement of pace in a race has improved, working to time, patience and not to "chase" rides. What is meant to be, will be and that's what an agent is for. I try ride to my best at all times as someone is always watching.　
Which horse would you consider to be the best horse you rode in your career?  In work, Ipi Tombe was by far the best!!! Escolita Fitz in SA. Mizzna in Dubai. Other top SA horses I have ridden include Young Rake, Shoe Shac, Grande Jete, Ball Sider and Otter's Trail.  Stephano, Nil Blanc, Dynamite and Casemate stand out from the Middle East.
With South African jockeys and trainers, led by Mike de Kock, having such great success overseas did you find that the profile of South African racing is now much higher amongst racing people overseas?  The World is taking notice. It was very hard for us when De Kock went over for the 1st time. It was so bad sometimes that horses weren't allowed to gallop even though dates had been set! International owners are waiting in the wings but the length of quarantine puts some people off buying SA horses for export. Sometimes I forget that Alec Laird and Dougie Whyte got the ball rolling for the rest of SA.　
What is your optimum riding mass? I ride at 52kgs, when the need arises, and would like to walk around at that weight.  I am hovering around 54kgs at the moment. I'm working on it all the time but pizza tastes too damn good sometimes.
Which stables are you riding for at present?  Recently James Goodman gave me 1st call on all of his horses. I am also riding for David Kuit to help get his small string off the ground and I have always been supported by Tony Rivalland. Whenever I get a chance, I ride for Gavin Van Zyl, as he has taken time to give me advice. I ride at Ashburton twice a week and 3/4 days at Summerveld. I get around as much as I can but prefer quality work over quantity as I can get too strung out and end up pleasing no-one. I will pretty much ride anything for anyone, but don't like being taken for granted... my agent, Mr. Luyt can be contacted on 0834540170.

With the KZN winter season coming up soon which horses would you advise racegoers and punters to keep an eye on?  Val De Ra looks to be a top filly with the Raihana form behind her. I would also like to see a top horse come out of KZN this year and Tropical Empire was impressive in his last win, in a time just outside of Eldoriza's Greyville course record.
Tell us about some of the major changes which have taken place for jockey’s since you first started riding? Our insurance cover is much better. The quality of riding and safety equipment has improved drastically and the competition is fierce. I would love to see the jockeys’ rooms and saunas in KZN getting a makeover as they haven’t changed in 15 years. Something that needs to be urgently addressed is the start in KZN. Too many jockeys and horses are getting hurt and owners, trainers and punters are not getting a fair run for their invested money!
What is your personal vision for the future of SA racing?  To be more open to international competition. We are as good as any country out there. An international race in Cape Town would be an awesome addition to the racing calendar.
What is your philosophy on the racing game?  It’s a game that turns for everyone. Please, can I have the smallest wheel?　
Do you feel you are associated with any horses right now which could make it to the top? David Kuit's English Aspen is a speed merchant for the filly juvenile races but 1200m could be too far.　
Who has had the most influence on you in your racing career?  Weichong Marwing and Robbie Hill have always advised me on riding and life. If not for these 2 champion jockeys, I would not have made it this far... when they talk, I listen!　
In your personal life what has been the guiding force which has kept you striving to be successful and happy?
My stubborn attitude, I WILL DO IT! It may take some time but I will always look for another angle.
What is the most exciting moment you have experienced in your career as a jockey ?  Winning The Heir Apparent Trophy in Qatar. Riding at the 2007 Dubai World Cup meeting. Being a part of Ipi Tombe and Jay Peg's international successes.
If asked by punters what you think is the best way to possibly make money by punting what would your advice to them be? Bet what you can afford to lose and look for value instead of the "sure" thing.　
When you are able to take time off where is your favourite holiday location? I have a goal to visit every continent so my next stop will be Argentina or Brazil but I love Singapore as a stopover to anywhere.　
If you had one piece of advice for your fellow associates in the racing world what would it be? PLEASE get fat and stop riding so that I can win more races..