Irishman flat out in new Brisbane move

By Jordan Gerrans

Renowned Irish jumps jockey Luke Dempsey has shifted his focus to establishing himself as a flat rider and will aim to do so in the Sunshine State.

After a spell living and riding in Victoria, the 28-year-old has moved to Brisbane and linked up with the Barry Lockwood barn at Eagle Farm over the last fortnight.

Dempsey almost announced himself on the local scene with a victory on his first day at the races in Queensland but was forced to settle for second aboard Adoradec on Wednesday in town.

The Irishman competed in an array of big-time European jumps races including the Grand National, riding at Royal Ascot and Cheltenham, as well as piloting more than 200 winners on the flat.

“My weight is good now and I am keen to establish myself as a flat rider,” Dempsey said of his northern move.

“That is the plan now.”

He also claimed the feature Irish Galway Plate aboard Borice in 2019. 

After moving out to Australia during the 2022-23 campaign, Dempsey rode four winners in his Victorian stint where he was based at Flemington, mostly riding work for Nick Ryan.

“I wanted a bit of a change and initially I was going to go to Sydney before I decided to come up here,” Dempsey said.

“I am keen to give it a go here and see how we get on.

“Hopefully I can get more race riding opportunities up here because it is good racing up here.”

Dempsey rode at 57kg on Wednesday at Doomben and believes he can get down to as low as 55kg in the coming weeks, which should open the door for more race day chances.

He has been busy riding work for respected Brisbane conditioner Lockwood, among other Eagle Farm stables. 

The experienced mentor rewarded the Queensland newcomer with a ride on Adoradec in the Fillies and Mares Class 1 Handicap over 1350 metres on Wednesday.

Dempsey and the four-year-old grey had to come from deep in the field before just falling short of toppling Araminta in the concluding stages.

The well-travelled hoop would have loved to kick-off in his new venture with a victory but he was glad about the way the daughter of Kermadec performed.

“It was her first run over the trip as all her previous races have been over 1000 metres,” he said.

“We were keen for her to get back and get her relax and run out the trip. We were pretty confident she would.

“She settled really good and I had to weave my way through to get the gaps.

“She attacked the line really strong and if she got clear running, she may have won the race.

“But, it was a great run, I was really happy with her.

“It would have been a good start for me up here if she got her head in front but hopefully I will not need to wait too much longer for a winner.”

As well as Adoradec, Dempsey also rode He's Heaven for Desleigh Forster who finished almost five lengths behind the winner in the Benchmark 78 Handicap.

Fellow Irishmen Robbie Dolan and Martin Harley have made their mark in Queensland in recent years and Dempsey is keen to follow suit.

“I am really enjoying it so far and Barry has been great, giving me that ride on Wednesday,” Dempsey said.

“He has been brilliant.

“I am settling in really good; it has been great so far.

“It was good to get going on Wednesday and hopefully I can crack on and get riding up here.”