By Craig Kerry
At just 21, Dylan Browne McMonagle has already ridden on some of the biggest stages in world racing, winning group 1s in France, Germany and at home in Ireland for leading trainer Joseph O’Brien.
But now in his second off-season stint in Australia with top trainer Ciaron Maher, Browne McMonagle is still chasing a maiden stakes success Down Under.
Dylan Browne McMonagle riding Little Mix in the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington last Saturday.Credit: Racing Photos via Getty Images
That might well come on Saturday at Newcastle – a world away from Royal Ascot, Hoppegarten, Saint-Cloud, Curragh and Kentucky Downs.
Browne McMonagle pilots Royal Merchant in the group 2 The Hunter (1300m), Herman Hesse in the listed Beauford (2300m) and Snitzanova in the group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) – all for Maher.
He started his Australian stint this time with rides at the Melbourne Cup carnival but wants to focus on Sydney racing after experiencing Victoria last year.
“It was good to get things going with big meetings like that and ride in those good races,” Browne McMonagle said of three group 1 mounts he had at Flemington. “I’m very lucky and it’s a good experience to be riding at that level straight away.
“There’s big stages everywhere, like Royal Ascot, Derby Day in Ireland and Champions weekend. All those big meetings, there’s something about them and they are the places you want to be riding at, and it’s good when you can get a couple of winners as well. I’ve been very lucky, so hopefully it’s the start of a good career.”
He will be in Sydney until heading home near Christmas.
“I always wanted to come back after last year,” he said. “The time I had was great, so there was no reason to stay home and not be racing when it’s off-season, so come over here, it’s busy and try to ride a few winners. I’ve had city winners here but no stakes winners yet, so hopefully I can get one.”
Royal Merchant was an $10 hope in the $1 million The Hunter, Herman Hesse was $10 in the Beauford, and Snitzanova was $6.50 – all from handy draws.
“Everyone is happy with Royal Merchant and she seems to be in good form, so it’s a big weekend to be riding so hopefully we can produce the goods,” he said.
“Herman Hesse, I rode him last year when I was in Melbourne and he’s a solid stayer, very genuine and when he gets the right run, he’s usually very competitive.
“Snitzanova, I’m fairly confident of a big run, so hopefully it keeps on improving and runs well. It’s obviously competitive racing there with big prizemoney, so fingers crossed.
“Last year I just came over for some experience. I didn’t expect to get many rides or winners at all, and thankfully Ciaron and David [Eustace] were huge supporters from the get-go and put me on some nice horses and I got some results.
“It snowballed from that and things went well up to the time I left, so hopefully I can do the same.”
