Gray gains Graded glory in NZ The group of Irish jump jockeys which moved to Australia last spring continue to do well, with Steven Gray the first to make the breakthrough in New Zealand last week, partnering the winner of a Grade 2 Hurdle at Hawks Bay on the North Island. Twenty three year old Gray, who steered Bahrain Storm to win the 2009 Galway Hurdle, has also ridden a winner in Australia and reported “I’m really enjoying it over here and, having moved here with my girlfriend Maria Quinlan in March, things have gone well since.” “I was finding it difficult to get rides in Ireland before I left, and while there is far less jump racing in Australia, the group of Irish lads which left are doing well.” “Myself and Maria (who partnered two winners on the Flat in Ireland) are both working in Melbourne and Maria recently rode in a couple of trials, which horses must complete before running on the racecourse.” “Johnny Allen has ridden three winners since his move, Bobby Molloy has ridden one while Tom Ryan has been beaten in a few close finishes. The three lads are also based in Melbourne while Lar Cribbin (formerly based with Eddie Lynam) has ridden two winners and, along with Donal MacAuley, is based in Adelaide.” “It’s an eight hour drive to Adelaide and, due to an ash cloud which restricted flights recently, I had to travel there by car for one ride. Those sort of trips make Sligo seem local and the horse I rode pulled up!” Gray also says “the weights here are quite low – between 10st02lbs and 10st12lbs but jump racing finishes up in September. We’ll be home for the winter jumps season – hopefully Irish trainers won’t have been forgotten us by then!” Thomas Weekes
