Meaghers and Orman a winning combination
Hard working apprentice James Orman will be a crucial part of the Meagher combination’s push to break into the top 10 Brisbane trainers.
John Meagher and his son Chris are hoping their successful July signals they can be a major force in Brisbane racing in the new season.
After a lean period early in the season, the pair led in eight winners during July for a strike rate of just over 40 per cent.
A key element has been Orman who rode six of their winners including The Iliad at Doomben on Saturday.
Orman led the Brisbane senior riders’ premiership for much of the season before finishing third on 70 winners behind Jeff Lloyd and Jim Byrne.
He also won the state title with 143 winners.
His effort was underlined by the fact Orman did not have the backing of any major stable but rode for about 60 different trainers.
“I was pleased with my efforts this year but the obvious thing is to keep going and riding winners,” Orman said.
Chris Meagher said Orman was one of the best young jockeys in Australia and rarely rode a bad race.
“We have had a lot of luck with him and the big trick might be to keep him in Brisbane long term,” he said.
So far the Meaghers’ run of good luck hadn’t translated to offers of more horses.
“Hopefully the phone will start ringing soon. We have 24 horses at the moment and would like 35. We have been gradually getting a nice team together and we are looking forward to the new season,” Chris Meagher said.
John Meagher trained What A Nuisance to win the 1985 Melbourne Cup and spent many successful years in Singapore before returning to Australia to set up a business with sons Dan and Chris.
Dan Meagher returned to Singapore earlier this year to further his career.