Meehan to bolster NQ jockey ranks

By Jordan Gerrans

After dabbling with training his own team while also being a jockey in recent years, Irishman Chris Meehan has made the call to put all his eggs in the riding basket.

And, he will do so in the north of the Sunshine State.

Previously based in South East Queensland as a dual-licence holder, Meehan has relocated to Cairns and will ride on the North Queensland circuit going forward.

The 31-year-old has ridden five winners in recent weeks since kicking off in NQ and has a big book of rides at Cluden Park on Thursday afternoon to keep the ball rolling.

Meehan was initially going to fly-in and fly-out to NQ from his southern base to ride but once he realised the opportunities that were on offer, he moved his family north and grabbed the chance with both hands.

It has been a busy time for Meehan and his wife as they have recently welcomed baby daughter Ella into the world.

“I just had two of my own horses and it was more of a hobby training,” Meehan said.

“I played about with them and learnt a good bit about them, as well, training. It might be something I will go back to later on in life.

“When I was messing about with my own horses, it did not give me the chance to get into other stables to ride work.

“Trying to manage being a jockey and a trainer at the same time was not really viable – I couldn’t give both roles 100% and in this game you have to give both of them your full attention.

“I thought to myself that I can always continue riding and go back training but I can’t do it the other way round.

“I am still young and fit so I will give the riding a red-hot crack for the next 10-15 years and I can consider training after that.”

Meehan found some success with his small team of gallopers, preparing three winners between July of 2022 and December of last year.

The horseman was successful in prestigious races in Ireland and England while riding – in the jumps and on the flat – before relocating to Australia in September of 2019.

After battling a number of serious injuries from riding back in Europe, Meehan was planning to take a break and not be involved in racing when he moved out to Australia.

But, that idea quickly changed and he is aiming to be involved in the industry for the long-haul now, with both Meehan and his wife about to become Australian citizens.

He is busy riding work at Cannon Park in Cairns as well as Townsville’s Cluden Park as he aims to get his foot in the door of a few different barns.

That is underlined by his book of engagements on Thursday at Townsville as he has rides for seven different trainers.

Of his seven bookings, Meehan identified Kidston for Bill Kenning in the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1400 metres and Alwyn Bailey’s Kitema in the second event on the program as his best chances.

Meehan has ridden five winners in NQ since starting riding in the region, which has included two doubles.

“I haven’t ridden a winner yet in Townsville so I am keen to kick a goal there soon,” he said.

“A lot of Townsville lads are now starting to throw some support my way.

“I team up with Alwyn Bailey in the second race on a horse I won on last start, Kitema.

“I think he has a good chance on Thursday.”

The Bailey and Meehan team has been a prolific one in recent weeks.

The hoop has ridden three winners from five engagements for the veteran Cairns trainer.

The resuming Overlord was their latest victory together on Monday at Cairns as the son of Sebring is now undefeated in four attempts in NQ after previously racing in New South Wales.

“He is a nice horse and he has a won a Class 6 there on Monday,” the hoop said.

“That will step him up nicely into open company now going forward.

“I do not think we have got to the bottom of him yet. He has four in a row and won seven in total since he came up from Sydney.

“He is a top performer up here and I think he might be one for the carnivals up here later in the year, which I think is Alwyn’s plan.”