LEETON apprentice jockey Kristen Smart has decided for a career change this year.
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Fresh from a winning double at Gundagai on New Year’s Day, Smart will finish up with Leeton trainer Peter Clancy in coming weeks.
The 25-year-old has decided to study radiography at Charles Sturt University in Wagga this year.
Smart will not give away the game altogether.
She plans to keep her jockey’s licence, ride trackwork in Wagga and still race ride where she can.
“It was a very tough decision,” Smart said.
“It’s been hard to get opportunities and that does get you down a little bit.
“I’ll still keep my licence and ride when I can.”
Smart crossed to Clancy in 2012 and has ridden 47 winners during her career to date.
“I’m happy, I’ve done everything I wanted to do,” she said.
“I was never going to do it forever.
“It’s time for a change.”
Smart hopes to still get back to Leeton to help ride work for the Clancy stable.
She also has an interest in harness racing and part-owns The Loustar, than finished third in Friday night’s $40,000 MIA Breeders Plate Final.
Smart will continue riding full-time up until the start of university in February and is in-form after returning two wins and a third from four rides at Gundagai on Friday.