Freelance driver Jack Callaghan.
IT’S been an amazing start to the year for in-form Sydney reinsman Jack Callaghan.
The 20-year-old was always destined to make a name for himself from the first time he took out his driver’s license as a teenager . . . and he has never looked back.
There is no doubt that his grounding has helped Callaghan make the grade, guided by his father Mark, who is still rated as one of the best reinsmen in the Hunter Valley region.
Young Callaghan ended the 2021 season with a whopping 157 winners and almost $1.6 million in stakes to finish second on state’s drivers’ premiership.
And while that effort is hugely impressive, 2022 could not have started better for this talented reinsman.
While he has just a few winners at home, Callaghan has concentrated his focus south of the border in Victoria where he is fast being recognised as the ‘Cups King’ following the wins by Spirit Of St Louis in both the Bendigo and Shepparton Cups.
“It has been a great thrill to be part of this journey with ‘Louis’,” said Callaghan.
“He led and had them covered a long way from home at Bendigo and then was brave in winning the Shepparton Cup in track record time, which was a real career highlight for me.”
On Saturday night the Belinda McCarthy-trained gelding will be chasing a hat-trick of Cups victories when he contests the $110,000 Ballarat Pacing Cup, which also sees the appearance of stablemate and Inter Dominion runner-up Expensive Ego.
“I was chuffed when I learned that Louis had drawn barrier one for Saturday night’s race,” said Callaghan.
“He is up against a cracking field, but he gets his chance from the pole.
“This horse is taking me on a great ride and I am so grateful to Belinda and Luke McCarthy as well as the owners for giving me the opportunity to drive a nice horse like this bloke is.
“I just hope it can keep going.”
But Callaghan knows too well that the big wins only come around now and then and that his bread and butter remains at tracks like Penrith where tonight he will drive in the opening two races on the program.
“I do think that Just Dessy is close to being a good thing in Race 2 after placing in an Inter-City Pace heat at Maitland last start,” said Callaghan.
