Lockwood in awe of Irish stable jockey

By Jordan Gerrans

When Irish rider Luke Dempsey first walked through the front gate of Barry Lockwood’s Eagle Farm stable, the veteran horseman had one immediate thought.

“I hope this bloke can ride because he is a decent fella,” Lockwood told his staff at the time.

The respected conditioner was quickly taken aback by Dempsey as a person and a few months into their association – Lockwood is adamant the jockey's skills back up his personality.

“That is how it has turned out, he is an excellent work rider,” Lockwood said.

“He is very good. He can ride pace work and he has been well-educated at that. It shows in his race riding, as well.”

Lockwood often uses high-profile jockeys such as James Orman and Robbie Dolan for his runners in the city.

And, he still does on a consistent basis.

But, he made the decision as soon as Dempsey began riding trackwork for his stable that he would also back him in with race day opportunities.

The 28-year-old has delivered on his boss’ faith, punching home three winners for the stable in the last month or so.

The Irishman moved to South East Queensland on a wing and a prayer with the aim of establishing himself as a city rider in Australia.

If not for Lockwood, he might have had to head home with his tail between his legs.

But, instead, he has a ride in a stakes race this Saturday and might also be prominent come Magic Millions day early next year.

“He has been unbelievable from the minute I started here,” the jockey said of Lockwood.

“He has shown great faith in me and put me on plenty of nice horses.

“I cannot thank Barry and his team enough – they have been fantastic.”

Dempsey had a spell living and riding in Victoria before moving north.

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.

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.

He has quickly tallied five winners in the Sunshine State.

As well as Lockwood, the Irishman has also been supported by big-name trainers such as Robert Heathcote, Paul Shailer and the Sears team.

“It has been great, it is probably going a lot better than I thought it would,” the keen hoop said.

“I came up here with no expectations and just wanted to see how we got on. I have ridden five winners so far and I am getting plenty of support from plenty of trainers.

“Barry has of course showed me plenty of support – so it has been fantastic.”

Being a former jumps hoop, Dempsey has had to work hard on his weight to ride in Australia and says he has it at a manageable level at the moment.

He has ridden as low as 54kgs in recent weeks.

He gets the chance to break through at black-type level on Saturday when Lockwood’s Loch Awe starts in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes over 1800 metres.

Like his rider, Loch Awe is Irish-bred, being a son of Magna Grecia, and was a stylish maiden winner at Ipswich earlier this month over 1690 metres.

While Lockwood notes he may not have beaten a strong field on that day at Ipswich, Loch Awe was dominant in the way he did it – scoring by almost two lengths as the well-supported favourite.

The team have winter ambitions for the stayer-in-the-making in 2025.

“He has impressed me in the fact that he will go further,” Lockwood said.

“We will throw him in the deep end this weekend and see where he is at. Hopefully he can aim up to some part of it and then he will have a break and come back for the winter.

“I believe he has the potential over more ground, the 1800 metres will give us a really good guide.”

It is a big step up from an Ipswich maiden to a $300,000 feature but Dempsey cannot see why he will not measure up to the level.

“He has improved with every run,” the hoop said.

“He was impressive last week; he did everything right.

“He stepped nicely and got into a nice spot at Ipswich, once I asked him he quickened up nicely. I was really taken by the performance and I still think there is improvement left in him.

“It is a big step up in class on Saturday but I feel like there is more there in him.”

The Grand Prix Stakes has proved to be a strong race in recent years with Group 1 champion Gypsy Goddess and Melbourne Cup runner Kovalica recent winners.

Another from the Lockwood team with carnival ambitions is Give Me Space.

The son of Cosmic Force has been placed in his last two runs in town on his path to the Magic Millions Guineas in 2025.

Orman has ridden Give Me Space in his last two starts with Dempsey the last pilot to win on the gelding, which occurred in early November.

With Orman on the injury list, it could open the door for Dempsey to have a plum opportunity for the Magic Millions carnival.

Give Me Space will start in the Vo Rogue Plate later this month before targeting the rich Guineas.