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By Ray Hickson

Adam Farragher might be a new name in the Sydney jockey ranks but he’s seen more than enough of racing in the Harbour City to know this is where he wants to be.

Jockey Adam Farragher (Pic: Grant Guy).

The 25-year-old Irish born hoop went unnoticed back in the autumn of 2023 as he was part of William Haggas’ team in Sydney with star galloper Dubai Honour, who won both the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes that year.

And it was encouragement from Haggas that led to Farragher making a big career move a month ago.

“When I came that time I didn’t ride, I was still an apprentice but it opened my eyes to how healthy the industry is down here,’’ Farragher said.

“The lifestyle is great and everything that goes with it.

"I always thought if the timing was right and the opportunity was there I’d love to come down and give it a go.

“I’m 25, it’s a young man’s game and I thought if I wanted to improve and better myself I had to do something about it and I hope it was the right decision.

“Mr Haggas was a big factor in it. He had mentioned to me before and he gave me the shove to give it a go. He thought it’d be worth pursuing.”

Farragher has been handed some big opportunities to notch his first Australian win by trainer Ciaron Maher with four rides at Saturday’s feature meeting at Kembla Grange including the ride on Group 1 winner Duke De Sessa in the $1 million Illawarra Mercury Gong (1600m).

After outriding his apprentice claim in England things started to slow down for Farragher and through champion hoop Jamie Spencer was put in contact with Maher with the view of changing hemispheres.

He’s had under 20 rides in NSW so far but importantly all four of his mounts he’s had the chance to ride in barrier trials in the lead up to Saturday.

“I was a little bit quiet this year, a lot of jockeys are down on numbers of rides and winners,’’ he said.

“I met Ciaron in Europe in the summer and made plans to come and give it a go. I thought if I didn’t I’d regret it, you have to make the most when you’re given opportunities.

“I was content to be trialling nice horses like that but to get the leg up on race day I was grateful to Ciaron and the team for giving me the chances.”

Smart four-year-old Spywire gave Farragher a good feel going into the Altus Traffic Handicap (1000m) when he won a trial at Warwick Farm last week.

Spywire had a boom on him as a youngster, running third in the Magic Millions, and will resume a last start winner having scored at Doomben in August.

“I’ve sat on him plenty at home, he trialled I thought very impressively at Warwick Farm last week,’’ he said.

Adam Farragher (left) leads Dubai Honour ahead of the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill in 2023 (Pic: Grant Guy).

“I think he’s in a very good place at the moment, he’s matured physically and mentally and I think he’s in a good spot.

"I’m hoping he can run a big race on Saturday.”

Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa, ironically second to Dubai Honour in the Tancred earlier this year, makes a late spring return in the Gong and Farragher said while stablemate Gringotts will be hard to beat it wouldn’t surprise if he gives some cheek.

The seven-year-old did win first-up over the mile back in February.

“What he did that day in the trial you couldn’t have asked him to do any more,’’ he said.

“He felt good, he moved good, pulled up fresh and well and travelled through the trial well.

“Gringotts is in unbelievable form, Duke is a horse that is better over further but he’s in a good spot and it’s a race that could play out in his favour.

"Hopefully he can run a good solid race.”

He also partnered Vienna Vixen and Raf Attack in their barrier trials ahead of Kembla Grange and said of that pair the former looks to be going well but will need some luck from a wider gate.

The next few months will be important for Farragher to get a foothold in the riding ranks, particularly with James McDonald riding in Hong Kong until Christmas.

“You like to be modest but everyone wants to be competitive and ride nice winners,’’ he said.

“I’d like keep improving, to get established and ride some winners along the way.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Kembla Grange