Mick Guerin: Oulaghan looks west for West Coast's jockey
Michael Guerin • July 21st, 2025 10:29 AM • 4 min read
New Zealand’s greatest jumper could have an Aussie jockey in his bid to win a historic fourth straight Grand National Steeplechase.
West Coast heads to Riccarton for his very special assignment on August 9, taking in the Koral Steeplechase a week earlier on his way through.
He looked on track for the challenge when running a close second in the Hawke’s Bay Steeples last week, a race that trainer Mark Oulaghan admitted his hulking stable star may need as it was his first steeplechase of the winter.
But West Coast will need a new jockey for Riccarton as his regular rider Shaun Fannin is the co-trainer and rider of Jesko, who is also heading to the Grand National as the $1.80 favourite.
Oulaghan says he is looking at an Australian jockey to partner West Coast at the Grand National meeting.
“That is the plan but if that doesn’t pan out then we will have to look around the locals for somebody who suits.”
Oulaghan says West Coast has come through last Sunday’s run well as has stablemate Berry The Cash, who was third in the Hawkes Bay Hurdles and is the $3 favourite for the Grand National Hurdles run the same day as the Steeples.
(Click to see the TAB markets for the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) and for the Grand National Steeplechase (5600)
O’Brien’s Kiwi connection
World champion Aidan O’Brien may have a horse Kiwi racing fans can get behind.
While O’Brien, who trains predominantly for racing giants Coolmore in Ireland, sends horses to Australia for the richest races, he has never raced one in this country.
O’Brien unleashed a very promising youngster at the Irish Oaks meeting at the Curragh on Saturday, a powerful son of Frankel who bolted in under superstar jockey Ryan Moore.
“He’s a lovely big horse, he hasn’t a clue what he is doing yet,” O’Brien said.
“He’s massive, the power and size of him.”
The name of the promising newcomer: New Zealand.
This article first appeared in the New Zealand Herald on July 21st.
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