But he acknowledges his effort has since paled in comparison to that of his son Jett, who this week booted home his first city winner at Ascot.

Young Stanley's first city winner on Wednesday came in his first race at metropolitan level.

Even more remarkably, it was only his third ever ride in a race.

It was the perfect birthday gift for Stanley, who turned 17 on the day of his first city win, and an emotional day for his parents Brent and Paris, who were nearby after having flown to Western Australia the previous week, but were not allowed on course due to strict COVID protocols.

Eight months earlier, he had headed west to pursue his dream of following in the footsteps of his father Brent, now a successful and multiple Group race-winning trainer at Sutton Grange.

Apprenticed to leading Western Australian trainers Grant and Alana Williams, Stanley made his debut at Pinjarra last Sunday with two rides.

His mount on Trevello - trained by his bosses - at Ascot on Wednesday was his first in metropolitan class.

Stanley, a former Girton Grammar School student, showed all the poise and maturity of a seasoned jockey to urge the six-year-old gelding home in a tight finish and claim a sentimental win.

Emotional not only for himself, but his family, who rushed to greet him outside the racecourse, and also the Williams', with Grant reduced to tears in the post-race speech.

Williams has spent a couple of Melbourne autumn and spring campaigns with his star team of horses based with the Stanleys at Sutton Grange.

For Stanley, the win was the fulfilment of a childhood dream, after literally setting his sights on becoming a jockey in his pre-teens.

He admitted to heading to Ascot confident of his chances.

"I have been riding the horse in track work every day and his last gallop he went so nicely, I actually pulled up and told Alana that he's going to be my first winner," Stanley said.

"As soon as I got a nice spot in behind them, I thought I was travelling so nicely.

"Coming around the corner I've never had a horse travel like that, even in track work.

"He was travelling up so nicely and I've heard what everyone has talked about, how they travel nicely and you know you've got something.

"I just knew I had something left and with the four kilo claim I reckon he had it."

Stanley was quick to praise his 'parents away from home' Grant and Alana Williams, champion jockey William Pike and stable staff for their support since his move west.

"It's a huge opportunity and for great people - I wasn't going to turn that up," he said.

It was a sentimental victory for the Stanley family, who flew to Western Australia late last week to surprise Jett ahead of his first race ride, but were immediately forced into quarantine following a COVID scare.

Their pride was encapsulated in a social media video, produced ahead of his first race ride by mum Paris.

Dad Brent, who was just 17 when he won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on Arctic Scent in 1996, admitted an emotional first win for Jett had brought 'a tear to the eye'.

"To get his first city win first-up and to get it in only his third race is a fantastic achievement. We (the family) couldn't be prouder," he said.

"I rode my first winner at something like my fifth ride, so he's got one up on me there.

"I've told Grant he needs to find Jett a Caulfield Cup ride this year to see if he can do what I did when I was 17."

The firsts on Wednesday did not end with Stanley, with his best mate Ed Corstens flying over to watch his first ride and ending up strapping his first-ever winner - Trevello, ridden by Jett Stanley.

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