Article by Darren O’Conghaile
Irish born jockey Shane Jackson has had the greatest win of his profession in Australia today.
The 33-year-old, who relocated from Ireland in 2012, was the leading National Hunt rider in Australia last year.
Jackson rode the 11/8 favourite Ablaze trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in today’s A$315,000 race and the duo won the by a comfortable six-lengths. This was only the third start over jumps for Ablaze who appears to have a bright future in the National Hunt game with normal progression which is almost anticipated.
The second and third horses’ home had won the previous two renewals of the race so the form looks rock-solid with all things considered.
Winning handler, Ciaron Maher for whom this was a record-equalling fifth win in the Grand Annual Steeplechase said of Jackson: “He works hard at it Shane. He has been really wanting to tick this one off and It was a Phenomenal ride – Our horse needed a brilliant ride to get him there because he was an inexperienced horse.”
