Irish hoop Tom Madden lands first city winner at Caulfield

Jockey Tom Madden rode British Angel to victory for trainer Tom Dabernig in front jubilant family and friends, including mother Trish, who only arrived in Melbourne on Thursday.

British Angel wins at Caulfield.

Irish jockey Tom Madden has drawn comparisons to Group 1-winning compatriots John Allen and Declan Bates for work ethic and talent after riding his first Australian city winner at Caulfield.

Madden rode British Angel to victory for trainer Tom Dabernig in front jubilant family and friends including mother Trish, who arrived in Melbourne on Thursday to visit her Warrnambool-based son.

Dabernig praised Madden’s ride and association with British Angel.

“Tom has got a really good record on this filly and we left him on knowing that he knows her,” Dabernig said.

British Angel down the outside swamps them! 🇬🇧@JaseRicho nails it. 👏 #[e-mail]/aUrJXx8ywE

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 1, 2024

“Since he’s arrived and he lives in Warrnambool I noticed how hard he works and we have been having a bit of success with him around the country tracks.

“He’s not dissimilar to John Allen or Declan Bates when they first came out, and he’s got quite good ability, it won’t be his last metro winner.”

Madden has ridden British Angel in all eight of her starts for four wins and two places.

“It’s a dream to be honest,” he said.

“Big pressure today with family over. Everything worked out, I couldn’t ask for any more … she’s a good tough mare.”

Madden has ridden 53 winners in Australia, including 10 at Warrnambool.

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Madden crosses the line on British Angel.

He placed at Flemington, Caulfield, The Valley and Sandown previously.

“It’s a long time coming (first city winner) and has been pretty tough, but doing the hard yards,” Madden said.

“This will last long in the memory I’d say.”

Paradise City and Batrana rounded out the top three, while the unplaced favourite Pivot City was luckless behind a wall of horses on straightening.

Earlier, La Danseuse Rouge charged to victory in the 1100m Open Handicap at Caulfield in almost track record time.

The Cliff Brown-trained mare finished over the top of Ashford Street, while South Australian raider Extremely Lucky powered into third with an eye-catching display.

La Danseuse Rouge stopped the clock at 1:01.74 – 0.01 outside the mark set by Here De Angels in 2010.

Originally published as Irish hoop Tom Madden lands first city winner at Caulfield