a day ago
‘Cost of living' forces well-known Irish jockey to start new life in Australia
A well known Irish flat jockey, based in the UK for the last four years, has decided to take a chance on starting a new career in Australia.
25-year-old Adam Farragher rode 20 winners in Ireland before relocating to Britain in 2021 but has made the decision to try his luck Down Under due to lack of opportunities and winners in recent times.
The Co Cork native will start a new job with leading Australian trainer and Melbourne Cup winner Ciaron Maher in the coming weeks.
Farragher enjoyed a very successful season in 2024, riding 43 winners, but since losing his claim he has struggled for chances and his 2025 tally is at 14 wins.
From Skibbereen, Farragher had just turned 18 when he rode his first winner on the Johnny Feane-trained Mostawfee at Dundalk in February, 2018.
He enjoyed notable handicap success on the Kieran Cotter-trained A Step Too Far and Michael Halford's Rayounpour before his move across the Irish Sea. Time
But he has now made the decision to quit Britain and make the long journey to the southern hemisphere where many other Irish-born riders like Martin Harley and Robbie Dolan have enjoyed great success in recent times.
He told the Racing Post: 'I leave for Australia next month and have a 12-month working visa and a job with Ciaron Maher in Sydney. Hopefully, I can work hard and take any chances I get and see how it goes as it's a good opportunity.
"I'm 25 now, which I think is the perfect age, and I feel I have enough race-riding and life experience to make the move. I have no ties and it was something that if I didn't give it a go now I'd regret it in time.'
Farragher has experience of working in Australia having looked after Dubai Honour for trainer William Haggas in Sydney two years ago. That globetrotting gelding won a pair of Group 1 races at Rosehill and Randwick in 2023.
'It's definitely something I've had at the back of my mind since I went down to Australia with Dubai Honour a couple of years ago when we were based in Sydney. I got the feeling that racing was in a very good spot down there and wanted to come back.
'I thought about it last year when I had an okay year without my claim, but this year has been slow and, like a lot of jockeys, I'm down on rides and winners. If you're one of the top lads it's fine, but when you're a journeyman jockey and the cost of living is going up, financially it just isn't viable here anymore.'
Donegal jockey Martin Harley has been in Australia for several years and Farragher said he spoke to him before confirming his decision to also make the move.
'I spoke to Martin about making the move and he said he could never put anyone off coming down. The whole conversation about Australia came about in his kitchen when we were chatting about the winter, and he suggested making the move.'
