Thomas Carberry, the oldest son of legendary jockey and trainer Tommy Carberry, enjoyed the biggest moment of his career on Thursday at Flemington racecourse in Australia
The Carberry family, steeped in Irish racing history, added an incredible new chapter to their story on Thursday at Flemington racecourse in Australia. Thomas Carberry, the eldest son of legendary jockey and trainer Tommy Carberry and brother to former top jockeys Paul, Philip and Nina Carberry, who is currently an MEP, has been training in Australia since 2015.
He enjoyed the pinnacle moment of his career with a filly that cost just €300, winning the prestigious Group 1 Crown Oaks in front of a massive crowd at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne.
Flemington, known as the home of the Melbourne Cup, was where Joseph O’Brien and JP McManus narrowly missed out on success in ‘the race that stops a nation’ on Tuesday with Goodie Two Shoes.
Carberry’s Strictly Business clinched the €330,000 first-prize at odds of 13-2 for trainer Carberry and owners the Mhumhain Racing Syndicate under Cork-born jockey Johnny Allen, who rode in Ireland before emigrating to Australia in 2004, reports the Irish Mirror.
Among many to congratulate Carberry in the winners’ enclosure afterwards was all-conquering Irish trainer Willie Mullins, who saddled Absurde in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
The Carberry family name is deeply rooted in National Hunt racing across Ireland and Britain, with the late Tommy securing three Cheltenham Gold Cups during the 1970s and a Grand National as a jockey, before memorably partnering with his son Paul to claim the Grand National once more in 1999 aboard Bobbyjo.
Philip captured the Champion Hurdle with Sublimity in 2007, whilst Nina Carberry is regarded as one of the finest female amateur riders in history – claiming the Irish Grand National in 2011 for her uncle Arthur Moore.
She has served as a Member of the European Parliament for Midlands–North-West since the 2024 European Parliament election.
Thomas competed as an amateur in Ireland until injury ended his riding career, subsequently working as a breaker, rider and foreman at Eliza Park (Sun Stud) before joining Darren Weir Racing in 2015 and ultimately establishing his own operation.
“It’s brilliant, isn’t it. It’s an incredible journey, racing, and I think everybody’s proud of it,” said 53 year old Carberry.
“Dad winning the Grand National was brilliant but I suppose we have to make our own mark,” he added.
Strictly Business, a three year old daughter of Grunt, was purchased for just $600 (€300) and Carberry added: “After Nina won a race at Cheltenham a few years ago, I rang Timmy Hyde and said to him, ‘Timmy, they keep raising the bar, what am I going to do?’ He told me I had to raise the bar as well. I think maybe we’ve done that today.
“The family history is there, so you’re always trying to make your mark in life and in racing. To get this win today is unbelievable – and to do it with our neighbour, Johnny Allen, who lives two houses up the road from us besides Ballarat racetrack, is very special.”
It proved a massive triumph for Allen as well, who has enjoyed considerable success over the past two decades since relocating to Australia.
“This is very special. I’m a neighbour of Tommy’s and I rode against his brothers and sisters back home.
“It’s an unbelievable training performance. Like all the Carberrys, he’s a great horseman and a very unassuming man who keeps himself to himself – but get a few drinks in him and he’s good fun!”.
The victory was distinctly Irish in character, with several of Strictly Business’s owners, headed by Martin Falvey, also hailing from Ireland, whilst the horse’s racing silks feature the Munster coat of arms.
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