First Australian winner for Irish jockey Adam Farragher
Irish rider Adam Farragher achieved a long-held goal at Kembla Grange, landing his first Australian winner aboard the talented galloper Spywire.
The milestone follows months of committed work for Ciaron Maher, who admitted he deliberately pushed the young jockey before finally rewarding him with the mount that delivered Saturday’s impressive result.
“We’ve made him earn it,” Maher said.
“He’s done trackwork every day since he’s gotten here. Probably something he’s not used to, and he has done a heap of trials and a lot of work between Warwick Farm and Bong Bong.
“We’ve had him on quite a few slow ones, just to make him earn his stripes. He trialled this one up and suggested he was going very well.
“He’s a strong jockey. He can ride any weight, and his feedback is very good.
“I think he’s got a bright future.”
Maher first met Farragher in Europe through fellow jockey Jamie Spencer, and that link ultimately paved Farragher’s path back to Australia.
Farragher had previously accompanied Dubai Honour to Sydney while working with William Haggas, and the experience made him eager to return and establish himself in the local riding ranks.
His breakthrough performance came at just his 17th Australian ride, with the young hoop noting Spywire overcame conditions that weren’t entirely to his liking.
“Delighted. I’m very grateful to Ciaron and the team for giving me the opportunity and the owners for letting me ride him,” Farragher said,
“I was a little bit concerned about the rain. He’s a good-moving horse and I was worried he might find it a bit tough going. He handled the conditions well, I wouldn’t say he relished them.
“The wheels were spinning a little bit, and you’ll see him to much better effect on a firmer surface.”
A strong juvenile who finished behind Storm Boy in the 2024 Magic Millions Classic (1200m), Spywire has now earned his place in January’s Magic Millions Sprint thanks to his sharp first-up victory.
Carrying 61kg, Spywire ($10) proved superior, defeating Hawker Hall ($4.60 fav) by three-quarters of a length, with Couples Retreat ($5) a further three lengths adrift.
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