Residing in Adelaide, Callan Murray is carving out a niche for himself after a successful recent stint in South Australia. The affable jockey, seasoned in Hong Kong and South Africa, has found his Australian base in Adelaide. Notably, he recently achieved a remarkable feat with four wins in two days, including a treble on Boxing Day at Morphettville.

Murray won on Vexatious Dancer, Pompeii Empire for Richard & Chantelle Jolly and Call Me Vexatious (like the first winner, for Nicole Irwin). He followed that up with another winner at Strathalbyn on Eroica on the 27th making it four wins in two days.

Delving into his transition to Australia, Murray candidly shared insights into the heightened competition. "I've been in Adelaide for about two and a bit years now, and it's been a journey. Initial struggles were there, but now things are falling into place. The competitive rides here have expanded, and it's intriguing – there's actually an influx of jockeys," he stated, shedding light on the evolving dynamics.

Discussing the Australian racing milieu, Murray underscored its unique characteristics, emphasizing the close-knit community and intense competition. "Australia is renowned for its top-tier racing and tight racing communities. Every major yard has its set of jockeys, so earning my position was a gradual process," he noted, reflecting on the challenges of breaking into the scene.

Unpacking his breakthrough in this demanding environment, Murray attributed his success to a blend of "luck and good timing." However, he underscored the importance of consistent performances. "Being more consistent lately has been key. Bigger days like the recent Boxing Day triumphs and securing better rides have posed more challenges," he acknowledged.

Building on the theme of relationships in racing, Murray expressed gratitude to trainers like Nicole Irwin and the Richard & Chantelle Jolly yard for their unwavering support. "I've built up some really solid relationships. Two winners I rode this weekend were for a trainer who has been loyal to me from the beginning. Her name is Nicole Irwin," he shared, highlighting the collaborative nature of success in the racing world.

While Adelaide might not be synonymous with major racing centers, Murray was happy with his decision to base himself there. "I've always been based in Adelaide. Getting a visa is a challenge, and I'm on the same visa I came on. Adelaide was the best decision that I made," he affirmed, emphasizing the strategic choice of location.

Drawing from his experience as the stable jockey for the powerful Mike De Kock stable in South Africa, Murray touched upon riding for various trainers, including Mike's son Mathew De Kock and training partner Robbie Griffiths. He revealed, "He's (De Kock/Griffiths) brought some horses to Adelaide which I have ridden. He plans to bring more to the Carnival - the Adelaide Carnival in March," hinting at exciting future prospects for their partnership.

Expressing his eagerness to return for significant races in South Africa, Murray stated, "I came back for the July two years back, and again during July this year, but had a fall prior and didn't ride. Just a holiday. I still have big races I want to win at home," showcasing his ambition to leave a mark on the home turf.

Quick to acknowledge his roots, Murray highlighted the grounding he received at the South African Jockey Academy. "How fortunate I was at SAJA. It makes me grateful for the grounding I got there," he expressed, giving credit to his foundational training.

Delving into the intricacies of racing setups, Murray shed light on the financial aspects, noting the expense of employing staff in Australia and the disparities in stable sizes. "It's expensive to employ staff here. Bigger stables can afford them, but smaller guys find it hard to afford them," he explained, providing a nuanced perspective on the operational challenges faced by trainers.

Navigating the racing calendar, Murray elucidated, "In Adelaide, we race on weekends and generally around three times a week. Metro is a higher standard, and it's difficult to get rides. Some jockeys only ride the metros, but midweek meetings have good prize money," offering insights into the strategic considerations that jockeys make based on the racing schedule.

Sharing details about his home base at Morphettville, Murray revealed, "I ride work there, but recently I got support at Murray Bridge. It's an hour ride there and then an hour back, but it's developing fast, and the focus here is on that center now. I ride work at both Morphettville and Murray Bridge in the morning. I usually ride 10 in the mornings. That would be a big morning, unlike SA where we rode 20 plus. But you have to do more stable work here, and that takes time. You've got to trot the horses, saddle and unsaddle. In SA, we have great staff who do that for you. They are lucky," painting a vivid picture of the daily routine and demands of a jockey.

Reflecting on his riding style, Murray affirmed, "My style hasn't changed. It's worked for me. Racing is tricky here, and you have to make decisions while turning as the straights are short. You also have to make decisions on following the right horses," providing a glimpse into the strategic nuances that differentiate his approach in Australia as opposed to South Africa.

Continuing the discussion on racing tactics, Murray delved into the challenges posed by the Australian tracks. "If you're last and on the fence, you need a lot of luck. Aussie jocks can ride and understand pace very well because of the tight turning track. You aren't going to make up lengths in the straight from the back," he cautioned, emphasizing the need for strategic positioning on the track.

Touching on the financial side, Murray disclosed that riding in South Australia is lucrative, with jockeys earning a fee of A$235.

Comparing the quality of horses in South Africa to his experience in Australia, Murray nuanced his perspective. "The good horses are on par with good horses at home. There are just a lot more horses here. Look, the majority are the slower ones, but that's the world over," he observed.

Asked about the best horses he's ridden, Murray was unequivocal in his choices. In Australia, Najem Suhail stood out whilst highlighting an unraced juvenile due to make his debut soon as being very good. Back in South Africa, the clear and crisp first choice was "Hawwaam!"

In conclusion, Callan Murray emerges as a jockey making significant strides in the South Australian racing scene, and his progress will be closely monitored. His detailed insights provide a comprehensive view of the challenges, triumphs, and strategic considerations that shape a jockey's career.

SAHorseracing.COM 

Image extraction, Morphettville Racecourse