COAST TRIUMPH YET ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF MORGAN’S SPECIAL SEASON

ASH Morgan put it in perspective!

He has a couple of trophies at home for twice riding the most number of winners in a season in New South Wales (136 in 2021-22 and 137.5 in 2023-24).

And whilst being NSW leading rider on both those occasions are clearly achievements to be proud of, the Newcastle-based horseman has gone to another level for a breakout current season in which he has cemented himself in the Sydney riding ranks.

“It’s far superior,” he said en route to Mudgee races today in the afterglow of landing the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) on talented Scone four-year-old Know Thyself at yesterday’s metropolitan stand-alone meeting at Gosford.

“It’s been a season which I’m really proud of for sure.”

That Listed triumph came on top of the Welsh expat’s maiden stakes success in Australia on Iowna Merc in the Listed Canterbury Sprint (1200m) on New Year’s Day, and his first major on unbeaten Newcastle star Private Harry in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.

He will get an even bigger opportunity in the new season when Private Harry tackles the $20m The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in October.

Such has been Morgan’s rise that he says he won’t be riding at the Brisbane winter carnival unless a really good opportunity or two arise.

“It has taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am now riding in Sydney, and I want to focus there during the winter whilst many of the top jockeys are going to Brisbane,” he said.

“I’ll ride at the two-day Cup carnival at Scone on Friday and Saturday.

“I’ve got some nice bookings.”

With Morgan’s success has come an enviable situation.

“I’m getting offers for several horses in some races in town, and have to work out with my manager which is the best,” he said.

“It’s a good problem to have just the same.”

Morgan will be awaiting the release of weights (probably late Monday afternoon) for Friday’s $200,000 Listed Scone Cup (1600m).

He gained The Coast mount because Know Thyself’s regular rider Aaron Bullock could not get anywhere near the 53kg mimimum allotted the gelding for his first stakes mission.

Trainer Paul Messara intends nominating Know Thyself for his home track feature, and is keen to run him provided he does well this week as the Cup carries eligibility for the $3m Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick in November.

Messara won the Cup 16 years ago with another then four-year-old Obvious Choice, ridden by Dale Spriggs.

“Obviously Know Thyself is Aaron’s horse, and I was lucky to be chosen for the Gosford race because I’m light (both jockeys are managed by Drew Smith),” Morgan said.

“If Know Thyself gets Aaron’s weight at Scone, then he will ride him. If not, of course I’d be happy to stay on him.”

Whilst it has already been a special season for Morgan, a third NSW premiership isn’t beyond the realms of possibility either.

He made no mistake in the opener at Mudgee today, the Maiden Plate (1400m), on $1.12 hotpot Viktor for Iowna Merc’s trainer Bjorn Baker to lift him to the outright lead this season.

Three-year-old Viktor, a son of unbeaten UK champ Frankel, was Morgan’s 89th winner for the season, putting him one ahead of Jean Van Overmeire, who rode the last race winner Incantation at Kembla Grange yesterday.

Story John Curtis, May 11, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos