Tahlia Fenlon earns high praise and Group 3 ride in George Moore Stakes at Doomben from trainer Ciaron Maher
It was not the words jockey Tahlia Fenlon expected to hear from trainer Ciaron Maher as she retained the ride on Epic Proportions for the Group 3 George Moore Stakes at Doomben.
When Ciaron Maher’s name flashed on Tahlia Fenlon’s phone after her emphatic Keith Noud triumph on Epic Proportions at Doomben last month, the 22-year-old apprentice didn’t quite know what to expect.
But not only did Victoria’s top trainer offer his congratulations for Fenlon’s first-ever black-type victory, he told the Rockhampton product he was glad he had stuck with her, despite the fact she couldn’t claim as an apprentice in the $160,000 Listed race.
Fenlon will be doing it the hard way at the same track on Saturday in the $200,000 Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m), riding at 54.5kg in another non-claiming contest for apprentices.
It’s nice to have a trainer of Maher’s calibre backing you against Group-level opposition featuring the likes of favourites Caballus ($3.60) and Hidden Wealth against top jockeys Tommy Berry and Angela Jones respectively.
It’s her skill alone that will carry $6.50 chance Epic Proportions, not the concessions that usually help young riders bridge the experience gap.
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“It was a great privilege that Ciaron has kept me on the horse for a Group 3,” a grateful Fenlon said.
“He was very happy (after the Keith Noud). I called and he didn’t answer and then he called back after that.
“He just congratulated me and said he was happy to keep me on.”
A dominant performance from Epic Proportions who leads all the way winning at Doomben! 🔥@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/nbCKdgeUFf
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 15, 2025
Epic Proportions had already proven his talent before arriving in Fenlon’s life, and has now banked $481,000 in prizemoney with seven wins from 25 starts.
He’d campaigned through a moderately successful winter in Sydney and Melbourne, showing flashes of brilliance without quite putting it all together.
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Then Fenlon climbed aboard in late October at Doomben, riding at just 50.5kg, and it clicked as the gelding bounded away to a two-length victory.
“Ciaron said I taught him something about the horse the first time I rode it with the lightweight, being able to run like he did that day and knowing he could do it again,” Fenlon said.
“I think he just needed no weight and a confidence run.
“He really got that at Doomben when he began so well. I dug him and then he just travelled and he thought he was bolting in the run.”
Fenlon managed to get down to 53.5kg for the Keith Noud but it was worth every ounce of effort after the talented sprinter beat Midnight In Tokyo and Oughton.
She pointed out that this time last year, Epic Proportions was defeating future stars such as Payline and Transatlantic, which won the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield and the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick this spring.
Saturday’s George Moore Stakes won’t be Fenlon’s first taste of Group racing, but it carries vastly different stakes than her debut at this level.
In May last year, she partnered Tiger Tie for trainer Chris Munce in the Spirit of Boom Classic (1200m) at Doomben, finishing a creditable seventh but well off the pace.
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Originally published as Tahlia Fenlon earns high praise and Group 3 ride in George Moore Stakes at Doomben from trainer Ciaron Maher
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