Adam Farragher, the Irish-born jockey forging a new path in Australia, celebrated a significant breakthrough at Kembla Grange when guiding Spywire to victory for his first local win.
Farragher’s success comes off the back of dedicated work with leading trainer Ciaron Maher, who admitted he had deliberately kept the young rider on a tough apprenticeship before entrusting him with Saturday’s winning mount.
“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.”
The pair originally met overseas through jockey Jamie Spencer, and that connection helped open the door for Farragher’s move to Australia.
Farragher had already spent time in Sydney when accompanying the William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, and the experience ignited his ambition to build a long-term riding career here.
His first Australian win came quickly — just ride number 17 — and he praised Spywire’s professionalism given the worsening track conditions.
“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.”
After placing behind Storm Boy in the 2024 Magic Millions Classic (1200m), Spywire now returns to the Gold Coast — this time targeting January’s Magic Millions Sprint following his strong first-up success.
He lumped 61kg to victory as a $10 chance, beating Hawker Hall ($4.60 fav) by three-quarters of a length, with Couples Retreat ($5) finishing third another three lengths back.
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