Murray picks up G1 ride

Callan Murray may be riding in his first Group 1 on Australian soil tomorrow in the South Australian Derby, but the young jockey knows what it takes to succeed at the elite level.

The South African has ridden nine Group 1 winners in his homeland, including three in one day on Champions Day at Turffontein in May 2017, a day that led to international jurisdictions calling on his services.

“That was definitely a catapult point in my career, and it opened a lot of opportunities for me, and it led me to what was a successful stint in Hong Kong,” Murray said.

“I’d probably say my Group 1 strike rate is better than my current strike rate, to be honest.”

Murray’s mount in tomorrow’s Derby, King Of Pharaohs, is one of the roughies in the race at $71 with Sportsbet, but the South African said he’s “really excited” about the opportunity to ride in his first group one Down Under.

The son of American Pharoah hasn’t long been in trainer Roslyn Day’s care either, after he was previously with the Lindsey Smith stable.

“I sat on him yesterday, he’s definitely got the right nature for that type of race,” Murray said.

“Obviously, a lot of horses are coming into the race with pretty solid form, but I think he’ll see out the trip pretty comfortably and I’m hoping that he does just that.”