Jockey Ash Morgan’s ‘dive into unknown’ pays big dividends
When Ash Morgan made the decision to move to Australia to reignite his riding career, he admits there were doubts if he’d even get a ride.
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When Ash Morgan made the decision to move to Australia to reignite his riding career, he admits there were doubts if he’d even get a ride.
The Welsh-born jockey had the hunger to succeed in his new home but was diving into the relative unknown.
Morgan, 34, had started his career in the UK riding for the likes of Mark Tompkins, Ed Dunlop and Chris Wall. But like many young riders in the UK, opportunities dried up.
Before long, Morgan found himself in London working in a real estate office and later for an employment recruitment firm until the racing bug again took hold.
After a three-month stint riding in California, he boarded a plane for Australia in May of 2018 to take up a position riding for Brett Cavanough.
“It was diving into the unknown,” Morgan said.
“I didn’t know if I would come over and not get a ride or I’d come over and do well.
“It wasn’t through lack of confidence in my ability, I struggled for more than a couple of seasons in the UK and thought what would be different if I came here?
“When I came here I just put the bit between my teeth and worked hard and it came that way.”
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Morgan set a goal of 20 winners in his first season. He’d ride more than double that.
With a ‘have saddle, will travel’ mentality, he quickly became one of the most reliable sources of winners in the state.
Now six years on, Morgan is on the cusp of claiming his second NSW jockeys’ premiership after an untimely injury to leading hoop Aaron Bullock saw him rubbed out until the new season.
Morgan won his first NSW premiership two years ago with a 136-win haul and with a week to go has eclipsed that mark with 137.5 winners over the past 12 months.
“To be honest it wasn’t something I was really targeting at the start of the season,” Morgan said.
“I went everywhere the year I won it and the target this year was just to ride 100 winners and to try to ride more in Sydney.
“It wasn’t something that crossed my mind until I got suspended on the Sunday at Grafton (July 14) and obviously Aaron was out.
“If I was going to win it, I thought I am going to need to ride seven winners in a week because I am pretty much going to miss the rest of the season.
“When you get to the end of the season there aren’t many targets left but this is something that will get me up for the last few weeks.”
NEWCASTLE jockey Ash Morgan has a 2nd NSW premiership safely in his keeping.
— PROVINCIAL RACING (@provracingnsw) July 20, 2024
A double at Tamworth on Friday lifted him to 137.5 winners for the season; half a win over injured Aaron Bullock. Read more 👇https://t.co/RYsmshE61vpic.twitter.com/Yy7qmnoGDD
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Morgan will likely finish the season with close to 900 rides, around 150 less than his previous premiership win.
The talented hoop has endeavoured to make quality as important as quantity.
“I am riding for a lot of big trainers now,” Morgan said.
“It’s hard to make that transition from when I came over where I was a country jockey that could only ride about two or three winners at the provincials.
“Now I’ve nearly ridden 40 winners at the provincials and six metro winners.
“People can pigeon hole you as a country jockey or things like that but I think we are making the right steps.”
He has become a regular fixture in town over the winter months and is eager to test himself against Sydney’s best on a more permanent basis, albeit with the knowledge of the challenges it involves.
“In Sydney there are so many good riders so where do you get your foot in?” Morgan said.
“It is the target to try and be in Sydney more often, especially in the November, May and June periods when people might be following the carnivals around.
“You need to be riding winners in between those periods consistently around the country to get those chances.”
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Morgan will make his return from a brief suspension on Saturday with four rides at Royal Randwick.
Need A Miracle, trained by Paul Isaac, is Morgan’s best chance this weekend in the TAB Highway Class 3 Plate (1800m).
The son of Divine Prophet has won two of his three past starts including last start at Scone with Morgan aboard.
Morgan has been set a task with Need A Miracle ($12) set to jump from barrier 12.
“The draw is a bit sticky,” Morgan said.
“He has been going forward in his races and he was sort of a half a step slow the other day.
“It was a hot tempo and I sat back on him.
“I thought his win was really good and I definitely think he was up to Highway grade, whether that is this time I am not really sure.
“He is a slow developing horse that is going to improve into his next preparation.”
Congratulations ðŸ‡
— Scone Race Club (@sconeraceclub) July 12, 2024
Race 1 winner - Need A Miracle @EmiratesPark Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap
Trainer: Paul Isaac
Jockey: Ashley Morgan#sconeraceclub#premiercountryracingpic.twitter.com/pf2iUpzxAS
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The Paul Perry-trained Cosy Corner is a $34 outsider in the TAB Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) but Morgan has warned not to discount the Cable Bay filly.
“The stable is flying at the minute and you can take their horses lightly,” he said.
“I had a bit of luck on Bakerloo not long ago in town and she has the profile of the same type of horse.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she can run a decent race.”
Morgan has not had much to do with Promitto ($18) but expected the David Atkins-trained galloper to peak third up in the ATC Thank You Owners Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m).
Promitto hasn’t won since claiming the Group 2 Skyline Stakes as a two-year-old in February, 2022.
“I think his trials coming into this preparation show he is coming back to his best and the runs should have him ready third up to improve third up,” Morgan said.
“You couldn’t rule him out.”
Promitto and @reith_christian both relished the conditions 💪
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) February 26, 2022
They take out the Skyline Stakes for David Atkins at @royalrandwickpic.twitter.com/DfYjRPePpr
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Morgan was aboard Miss You Ella when the mare failed to beat a runner home last start and believes she was hampered by the heavy conditions.
The US-bred mare can bounce back in the Drinkwise Benchmark 88 (1600m).
“I rode Miss You Ella last start and I watched her races in America, she was actually pretty impressive over there,” Morgan said.
“She trialled well at the start of this preparation but has just been disappointing.
“I think I will try to be really positive on her on Saturday and maybe on a better track, it might suit.
“She raced on synthetic in Florida but has been on heavy tracks so maybe it might suit her better on top of the ground.”
Morgan could end his season with a flurry with a healthy book at Muswellbrook on Sunday before heading for a well-earned freshen up shortly after Friday week’s Coffs Harbour Cup.
Originally published as Jockey Ash Morgan’s ‘dive into unknown’ pays big dividends
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