Dylan Browne McMonagle is quickly building the sort of resume that makes racing people think “international rider” rather than simply “talented Irish kid” – but trainer David Eustace has been a fan for a while now.
Browne McMonagle returned to Sha Tin carrying momentum from Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, where he landed the G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap aboard Sons And Lovers, and he backed it up in the best possible way: an assertive front-running steer to lift 34-1 upset winner Riding Together in the last on Chinese New Year Raceday.
Eustace was surprised at the price but not the toughness of the performance.
“I thought he was a crazy price,” Eustace said. “I’m not a betting man, but he’d been running well all season. And yeah, I thought he was very tough today … had to work from 13 against a good field. Got a lovely ride. He’s really tough and he was able to just grit it out, really.”
Asked for his impression of the jockey, Eustace pointed first to familiarity – going back to Australia more than two years ago, when Browne McMonagle rode winners for the stable during Eustace’s time working in partnership with trainer Ciaron Maher.
“I’ve known Dylan for a while, he rode winners for us in Australia,” Eustace said. “I think he’s a very good jockey. He’s young but he’s got a very cool, calm head on his shoulders. It’s nice to get a winner together.”
The bigger picture is a rider who is actively choosing the hard path: traveling, adapting, and seeking out strong riding rooms rather than staying comfortable – something not always mirrored by Australian or Asian jockeys of the same age.
And despite the rapid rise Eustace said Browne McMonagle doesn’t carry himself like a finished product.
“I think he’s obviously keen to learn and he certainly doesn’t feel like he’s the complete rider by any means,” Eustace said. “He’s young and he knows he’s still learning, albeit he’s had plenty of success. I think he’s very keen to keep traveling and riding against the best, which you are here.”
Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said the 22-year-old was “one of the best jockey talents I have ever seen at that age.”
“You look at his balance, look at how strong he is – and if you have been to the Aidan O’Brien school like he has, you have to be good. There is no tolerance for error. And he is a very positive person,”
Engelbrecht-Bresges added. “He appreciates riding here because it makes him a better jockey.”
