Racing runs through the veins of Nick Ryan and the young Caulfield Trainer was always destined to enjoy a life dedicated to the care of thoroughbreds.
Ryan is a third-generation horseman who as a seventeen-year-old apprentice jockey broke record after record. In 2004/05 he not only became the Victorian Champion Apprentice, he also took out the title of Australian Champion Apprentice.
Ryan had taken the racing world by storm and also won the 2004/05 Victoria Metropolitan Jockey Premiership as a third-year apprentice. In 50 years, only three apprentices have won the Victorian Senior Jockey Premiership in Damien Oliver, Darren Gauci and Ryan.
Following a difficult battle with weight in the saddle, Ryan decided he wanted to embark on a career as a horse trainer. He cut his teeth with some wonderfully gifted horse people at home and abroad, before opening Nick Ryan Racing in 2014.
Ryan put in the hard yards early building his boutique stable, selecting stable favourite Mahamedeis as a yearling for $24,000 and his grand campaigner has gone close to amassing $1,000,000 in stakes, with more to come.
Ryan has a strong and loyal team supporting him in his quest for racetrack success and this year he was awarded the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award for his achievements in 2019/20, which included his first feature with Sircconi in the Listed Winter Championship Final and Mahamedeis in the VOBIS Gold Stayers.
Age
Place of birth
Most satisfying part of the job
Racing Highlight
Ambition/targets
Most respected opponent
What would you do if you weren’t a trainer
Give us a horse to watch out for
Describe yourself in one word
Which football team do you support
What do you do when you’re not working
Favourite TV Show
Favourite movie
Favourite restaurant
Favourite band/music
Favourite holiday destination
Who would be your guest list to your exclusive dinner party
33
Essendon on Friday 13th
Winning
At 17 years old, running 3rd in 2004 Melbourne Cup
To train Group 1’s and more Group 1’s
Peter Moody
Horse Whisperer
Grand Pope
Unassuming
North Melbourne
Sleep/Eat
Ozark
American Sniper
France Soir
Anything live
Hawaii
Al Pacino
Age:
33
Place of birth:
Essendon on Friday 13th
Most satisfying part of the job:
Winning
Racing Highlight:
At 17 years old, running 3rd in 2004 Melbourne Cup
Ambition/targets:
To train Group 1’s and more Group 1’s
Most respected opponent:
Peter Moody
What would you do if you weren’t a trainer:
Horse Whisperer
Give us a horse to watch out for:
Grand Pope
Describe yourself in one word:
Unassuming
Which football team do you support:
North Melbourne
What do you do when you’re not working:
Sleep/Eat
Favourite TV Show:
Ozark
Favourite movie:
American Sniper
Favourite restaurant:
France Soir
Favourite band/music:
Anything live
Favourite holiday destination:
Hawaii
Who would be your guest list to your exclusive dinner party:
Al Pacino
