Group 1 jockey Ryan Maloney says Ciaron Maher is more relaxed than ever despite overseeing a training empire

A jockey who rode for Ciaron Maher in the early days says the trainer has barely changed – although he’s arguably more relaxed now than before he became a star.

Ryan Maloney (left) celebrates after winning the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara aboard Bella Nipotina for trainer Chris Maher (right). Picture: Trackside Photography/Racing Photos

Training freak Ciaron Maher is these days driving a monster Australian training juggernaut, but Group 1-winning jockey Ryan Maloney says he more relaxed than he’s ever been.

Maloney scooped two Group 1s for Maher in the Queensland winter carnival, with Maher stunning everyone when he trained $101 roughie Socks Nation to Queensland Oaks glory and Maloney was also aboard Tatt’s Tiara champion Bella Nipotina.

Queensland-based Maloney has answered a call from Maher this week to ride Semana in the $1.5m Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

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Former Victorian Maloney said his dealings with Maher are even more relaxed than when he rode for him before the trainer had made his name and only had a relatively small team of horses at Warrnambool.

“I’ve known Ciaron for a long time, basically since I was an apprentice and I was riding for him when he had 20 horses at Warrnambool,” Maloney said.

“He has not changed one bit since I first met him.

“If anything he is probably more laid-back now as he doesn’t have to do nearly as many of the hard yards on the ground like he had to do at Warrnambool.

“Back in the day, he had to do a fair bit more hands-on work because he didn’t have many staff.

“It’s been amazing to see the success he has had and he deserves every bit of it.”

Ryan Maloney piloting Socks Nation to an upset win in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

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Maloney said he was a late call-up to ride Semana in the Alan Brown Stakes.

Semana, the five-year-old mare who is part-owned by former Australian cricketer Dave Warner, finished runner-up behind Maloney and Bella Nipotina in the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm in June.

“It’s quite ironic that I’m riding this horse now, having beaten her in the Tatt’s Tiara,” Maloney said.

Five of Semana’s last six runs have been at Group 1 level and, two starts ago, she was only beaten just over a length by Via Sistina in the Group 1 Winx Stakes.

In early betting, Semana is a $15 chance in the Alan Brown Stakes.

Originally published as Group 1 jockey Ryan Maloney says Ciaron Maher is more relaxed than ever despite overseeing a training empire