Ryan’s Elle of a call up in 2025 Houlahan Hurdle

Jumps jockey Tom Ryan made the most of his chance at Ballarat on Sunday, piloting Enchanted Elle to a brave victory in the $100,000 J J Houlahan Hurdle.

Ryan picked up the ride after Will Gordon, who had ridden her in her previous wins, opted for Farag in the 3250m feature. The decision paid off handsomely for Ryan, who never looked back in front.

It was his first sit on the Jakkalberry mare, and she left quite the impression.

“She’s so tough and she’s so rapid at her hurdles,” he said.

“She’s a proper hurdler; she’s so quick, she spends no time in the air, she gets about a centimetre over the top of them and there’s no waiting around with her. She’s a joy to ride.”

Racing boldly on speed, Enchanted Elle dictated early, eased mid-race, and then accelerated again, clinging on to win by half-a-length at $6.50. Sing For Peace ($3.70) chased gamely into second, with Right Now ($5.50) third.

Farag, heavily backed at $2.40, failed to finish the race and was pulled up by Gordon before the home straight.

For the connections, it was a memorable double. Just 40 minutes earlier, Enchanted Elle’s brother Hit The Road Jack claimed the $50,000 Gotta Take Care Hurdle (3600m), following up on their joint Coleraine success the previous weekend.

Trainer Symon Wilde said the mare had blossomed into one of his most reliable jumpers.

“She’s had a wonderful season, she’s won four from six, she was second in another one and the race she didn’t perform in, I backed her up when I shouldn’t, so it was my mistake,” Wilde said.

“So, her record should be really almost perfect. She’s a dashing little thing, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what she can do next year. She might end up in a Galleywood Hurdle, possibly.”