The Singapore Turf Club has granted a three-month visiting jockey’s licence to New Zealand jockey Craig Grylls, while also renewing the existing licences of 12 jockeys and nine apprentice jockeys (both local and expatriate) for either three months or six months.

Grylls’ licence will be effective from the issuance of the work permit.

Grylls, 27, is the son of former leading New Zealand jockey Gary Grylls. After a fairytale start when he rode his first winner as a 15-year-old at Ellerslie at only his third race ride, he has gone on to ride more than 700 winners in 11 years in the saddle, including seven at Group 1 level, and 15 at Group 2 and 3 level.

Career highlights include the Ford Diamond Stakes, Manawatu Sires Produce, NZ Thoroughbred Breeders, NRM Sprint and the Thorndon Mile.

Grylls, who goes to scale at 53kgs, has ridden in Australia and Macau. He currently sits in seventh position on 61 winners on the New Zealand jockeys’ premiership.