From Office Worker To Australian Ace . . . Welsh Jockey Caps Incredible Career Transformation And Now Eyes Winning World’s Richest Race

Almost a decade on from quitting racing to take up a London office job, Welshman Ashley Morgan got the most glorious of vindications after once more chasing his dream. 

Morgan gave up riding, having had just one winner in the whole of 2015 and worked in the City, dealing with recruitment and real estate.

But eager to give being a jockey another go after nine years, he decided to head to Australia in search of new opportunities.

He proved an instant success, with 45 winners in his first season and a first century just a few years later.

Yet Morgan, who started off riding pointers for Pembrokeshire-based Peter Bowen, catapulted himself into the elite level as he guided Private Harry to a first Group 1 victory in the Galaxy on Rosehill’s prestigious Golden Slipper day.

His mount, an improving three-year-old, showed determination to hold off all challengers and put him in line to compete in the world’s richest race on turf later this season, the Everest.

He said: “That’s an amazing feeling. When I was a youngster riding work, I thought this would happen to me straight away and I’d have ten Group 1s before I’m 18.

“Now I’m 34 and before this horse came along it didn’t look like it was in sight.”

Morgan, whose biggest win in Britain came in a Doncaster handicap on the St Leger undercard, rose out of his irons and gave a huge celebration when crossing the line.

READ MORE: How Wales Stunned The Racing World At The Cheltenham Festival

He added: “I gave it a big salute. I don’t know, I look stupid. You get in that moment and it was just pure ecstasy. It’s an amazing feeling, I can’t describe it.”

Morgan and Private Harry will likely team up next in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes in April.

Bowen on course for championship

Sean Bowen has surged 26 winners clear of Harry Skelton and is next month poised to become the first Welsh champion jockey since Dick Francis.

The championship runner-up would need a minor miracle to catch the leader, who extended his lead with another good week.

While he is no stranger to success in terrestrial TV races, Bangor made a rare appearance on ITV screens on Saturday. Bowen was aboard The Four Sixes who won the track’s only race on the box.

He also scored aboard The Boola Boss at Newbury for Pembrokeshire-based Rebecca Curtis, continuing her good season after Cheltenham Festival success with Haiti Couleurs. 

READ MORE: Former Scarlets Hopeful Lorcan Williams Earns Welsh Glory At Cheltenham

Despite a lengthy advantage, Bowen will remain focussed right up to the conclusion of the championship at Sandown on April 26.

Tudor forging important relationships

Jack Tudor, one of the emerging names of the star-studded Welsh riding ranks, is continuing to impress and has built up a good partnership with a Gold Cup-winning stable.

Tudor, based with David Pipe, has been taking spare rides for Joe Tizzard, who is impressed with what he has seen after three winners.

The yard responsible for the Welsh National winner-turned Gold Cup champion Native River gave Tudor a third winning ride at Exeter on Tuesday with The Widdow Maker.

Tizzard said: "Jack is riding well and I think that's his third winner for us. It's handy to have him."

On repeat

Lorcan Williams has been subject to widespread media attention since Golden Ace’s 25-1 Champion Hurdle win and the jockey admits he has been watching several replays since.

The rider was at Cheltenham the following day after the shock win, where former champions Constitution Hill and State Man fell, and said he re-watched the race on the train to the track.