Ukraine: Jockey Craig Williams opens up about the war and Giga Kick

The passion in Craig Williams voice was palpable. This was coming from the heart.

Williams is always obliging to the media and this interview is primarily about Giga Kick, the outstanding young sprinter Williams will ride in the Group 1 $1.5 million Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The champion jockey has obvious regard for Giga Kick’s talent, having ridden the three-year-old to win in the world’s richest turf race, The Everest last spring.

Giga Kick’s win was a historic moment in Williams’s celebrated career as he became the first jockey to win Australian racing’s “Golden Slam” – Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper and The Everest. The only other person to achieve this feat is trainer Chris Waller.

Williams is a wonderful ambassador for the sport and his record of 63 Australian Group 1 wins is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration but perhaps his greatest achievement is what he has been doing off the racetrack.

Sometimes when you are in the “racing bubble”, particularly during carnival time, it is easy to forget there are more important things in life than winning feature races – like the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Williams spoke about the horrors of war, something he has experienced first-hand. His wife, Larysa, was born in Ukraine. She has family there.

The couple have twice travelled to Ukraine since the war began delivering supplies to soldiers and civilians.

It should not surprise that Williams, the complete professional, has his own website highlighting his wins and upcoming rides. But he also uses his website to raise funds for the people of Ukraine.

“We guarantee every dollar is going there,’’ Williams said. “If it doesn’t how can I look anyone in the eye.

“Some people might think we are funding the war which we are not doing. We are just providing some necessary supplies for soldiers on the frontline because they are trying to protect innocent people.

“When we were first going in there, it was all providing trauma kits trying to save lives.

“Then we got emails from the soldiers telling us what they needed so we try to provide support for those men and women on the frontline.’’

As an example, Williams revealed he recently purchased some shipping containers in Poland and had them refitted as mobile showers for the Ukrainian people.

“In many cities, people don’t have showers, let alone running water, and there’s no electricity so our generators power these shower facilities,’’ Williams said.

“It might not seem much but it means a lot to Ukrainian people because everything is a target for the Russian Federation.’’

An emotional Williams then spoke about what motivates him to go above and beyond to help those in Ukraine.

“It is the right thing, it is not easy but it is the right thing,’’ he said.

“If Ukraine doesn’t win this war then sovereign territory and international law doesn’t exist.

“If people don’t unite and stand against this, then nothing exists as we know it.

“A country can’t just invade another country. It is a very lawless world if this is allowed to happen

“Everyone thought if they just give them Crimea, give him (Vladimir Putin) this and that, he will stop but bullies don’t stop.

“Because of this war we are paying more for things globally but in Ukraine they are paying with their lives.

“They know if they don’t win this fight then Ukraine doesn’t exist anymore.’’

The United Nations recently passed a resolution condemning the Russian invasion – but sadly the fighting and senseless loss of life continues.

“It was a great symbolic gesture by the UN but it doesn’t stop people from dying,’’ Williams said.

“But a German representative at the UN said: ‘If Russia stops fighting, this war ends, if Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends!’

“People just need to realise what is going on over there. We have done six projects delivering packages to Ukrainians and we know when we see those people the change it is making.

“The Ukrainian people are losing their lives and limbs fighting for their country but they are so grateful for the support. It means so much to their morale.’’

Then, in a reality check, the conversation returned to Giga Kick and the All Aged Stakes.

But make no mistake, winning this race is important to Williams, too.

Williams rode Giga Kick when the three-year-old resumed with a fast finishing third in the Challenge Stakes behind Passive Aggressive last month.

But the Melbourne-based jockey then suffered a broken collarbone and two broken ribs when involved in a fall at Flemington on March 11 which kept him out of the saddle until a low-key return at Sandown on Easter Monday.

Williams spoke of how important Saturday’s race is for Giga Kick as it is his first test beyond 1200m. If the gelding runs a strong 1400m in the All Aged, then the Golden Eagle in spring becomes a real target race.

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have framed early spring carnival betting markets on the nation’s two richest races, $15 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 14 and the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 28, and as a measure of Giga Kick’s ability and reputation he’s favourite for both races.

“Clayton has told me what he has in mind for Giga Kick in the spring,’’ Williams said.

“The focus will be The Everest again but this autumn campaign is all about making the framework for spring because there is the option of going to the Golden Eagle, too.’’

Williams has five rides at the Randwick meeting including Kintyre in the Group 1 $600,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m).

Kintyre, trained by Gary Portelli, is attempting to avenge half-sister Fireburn’s second placing in the Champagne last year which denied the filly a coveted triple crown.

After a lengthy interview with Williams, you leave feeling the jockey deserves success at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

As the saying goes: “Good things happen to good people.”

■ To make a donation to help the people of Ukraine, visit craigwilliamsjockey.com.au