TOP young Aussie driver Jack Callaghan lived his dream last weekend.
Callaghan, 23, was born into a strong and passionate harness racing family and winning a race at the iconic Meadowlands track - let alone two as he did last weekend – was fairytale stuff.
“It’s something I’d dreamed of since I was a little kid and to get a double the first night I drove anywhere in the US, let alone The Meadowlands, is just awesome,” Callaghan said.
“This isn’t just the first time I’ve driven in the States, it’s the first time I’ve ever been there.
“So, to get these opportunities on a trip when I’ve really gone to meet people, visit some stables and learn is pretty incredible.”
Callaghan’s instant success fuelled speculation Down Under he could make the US home, but he quickly dismissed that.
“I’d definitely look at a move at some stage, but not in the short term,” he said.
“It’s so hard to get into the US full-time now. I’d say it’s something for down the track, maybe three, four or five years from now.
“I didn’t come on this trip to get drives. I came because I’ve read and heard so much about the racing in the US and have always wanted to see it firsthand.
“I know lots of people here, so it’s opened doors to visit stables, catch-up with friends and, most importantly, learn heaps to go home a better driver and horseman.”
The Meadowlands opportunities last Saturday came about by chance.
“I heard lots of the top drivers would be away at Northfield Park and others would be driving a Yonkers, so they might be short of drivers at The Meadowlands,” Callaghan said. “I contacted the stewards, who they call starters over here, and told them I was available if they wanted.
“I couldn’t believe it when I picked up eight drives.”
Along with his two winners – Gazoo in race five (for trainer Veronica Spicer) and Ayr Pioneer Gb in race 12 (for Besim Odza) – Callaghan also snared a third and a fourth.
Callaghan hopes to become a frequent site on the winning drivers’ list.
“I’ll just make myself available when I’m needed, but I love driving and will whenever they want me,” he said.
There should be plenty of opportunities with Callaghan’s holiday, which started on July 28, stretching through until the end of September.
“I’m not missing much at home,” he said. “There’s the big TAB Eureka meeting, but that’s a really a one-off I didn’t have a drive in it.
“So, I can stay here another eight weeks or so and then things will get busier back in Australia.”
Callaghan has been staying with Todd McCarthy, one of the biggest Aussie success stories in the US.
“It’s great to catch-up with Toddy, who is a mate and someone I’ve always looked up to. What he’s done over here is just incredible,” he said.
“I already have or will visit the stables of Noel Daley, the Takters and Brett Pelling and I’ll also get down to Lexington, where it all seems to be buzzing at the moment.
“I’m just loving soaking it all in and seeing how things are done over here. The driving is an added bonus.”
Callaghan is one of a band of young Aussie stars to make a real splash in recent years. Along with the likes of his NSW contemporaries Cam Hart and Will Rixon, Victoria’s James Herbertson and Ryan Sanderson, WA’s Deni Roberts and Queenslander Angus Garrard.
Callaghan boasts over 800 wins in Australia, including seven at Group 1 level.
After starting out with his father, Mark, around the Newcastle area, Callaghan moved to work for Luke McCarthy’s stable for a number of years.
In recent times, he has worked alongside the hugely successful young NSW trainer Jason Grimson and done much of his stable driving.
“I don’t have too many set plans when I get back home because finally getting over here and experiencing it all became a priority,” he said. “I’d kept pushing back coming over because I’d had nice horses with target races back home, but this was the time to park everything and do it.”
Callaghan has been surprised by how different the racing is in the US.
“So, different. Completely different,” he said. “The whole racing style, the rules are so very different.
“I feel you get your chance pretty much every time in the races here, especially at The Meadowlands.
“Back home the barrier draws are just so important, but here not as much. You can work your way into a position.
“I think it makes for fairer racing for all horses to get their chance.”
Courtesy Harness Racing Update
