IF you want an insight into the sacrifice it takes from jockeys to make it at the highest level, look no further than the last three days in the life of David Egan.

Fresh off the back of a two-day suspension, the 26-year-old headed from his home in Newmarket to Ffos Las in west Wales for one ride in a maiden on Wednesday evening. It’s a 10-hour trip door-to-door. His Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained colt finishes second, running with a fair deal of promise in defeat but ultimately earning just £1,724 in prize money (to be split between connections).

On Thursday afternoon, it’s a trek to a completely different side of the country - Beverley in east Yorkshire. He’s got one ride in a two-year-old maiden, this time for Kevin Philippart De Foy and Amo Racing. Another solid second at 12/1, another £1,842 in the kitty. A round trip from Newmarket to Beverley equates to six and a half hours.

It’s a case of rinse and repeat on Friday as Newbury calls, just the six-hour return journey this time from Newmarket. The listed feature delivers a positive result for Amo, but not their primary jockey, as 16/1 second-string Hollywood Treasure comes out on top in a race where Egan finishes a close third on Flowerhead. More knocking on the door.

According to the most recent Central Statistics Office figures, the average Irish driver covers just over 14,000km a year on the road. The raw mileage for Egan’s three days comes to 1,804km - essentially, one eighth of what an average person drives in a year.

Such mammoth ventures are not for everyone, but the in-form jockey isn’t complaining one jot about the distance this week. A dream Saturday in Ireland last weekend, which saw him take out both the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes on Power Blue and Group 3 FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes on Bucanero Fuerte, offered further proof that he is very much on the right road in his career.

“You’re hoping that these trips are all worth it,” says Egan.

“If you don’t ride some of these horses in their maidens, you lose the ride forever. Getting the miles in can make for tough days, but you reap the rewards later on when you have five or six good rides on a Saturday card at Newmarket. Someone helped with the driving for Ffos Las and Beverley, but the shorter ones I do myself.

"Even after having a couple of days off through suspension on Monday and Tuesday this week, allowing the chance to reflect on last weekend at the Curragh, it’s a case of back to the day job now. It doesn’t stop.”

Big-race pressure

Saturday’s triumph on Power Blue was an important one for the Co Kildare-born rider. That was his first at the highest level for his retained owners Amo Racing. It’s not as though his spell with Kia Joorabchian’s ever-expanding ownership vehicle hadn’t been going well since joining in December 2023 - a year-long extension to his initial two-year contract was announced in the middle of Royal Ascot this summer - but delivering on the top stage for his biggest backers clearly meant a lot to all concerned.

“You put yourself under pressure to get a Group 1, especially when I started out my career by getting a couple very early,” says Egan.

“Not that you take them for granted, but you might feel they’ll be coming every year. To have a blank year last year in terms of Group 1s, the most important goal of this season was to get one. I just kept the head down in the meantime and knew I was doing the right thing. I knew if the right chance came about I could deliver. Thankfully it happened at the weekend. Now we’ll be trying for more.”

Joorabchian’s big-money spending has come under the spotlight over the past year, and the football agent business supremo made reference to a “tough start to the season” for his team after Arizona Blaze provided him with a welcome winner at the Curragh on Irish Oaks day.

How does Egan assess his opening chapter in the role as Amo’s first rider?

“I put big pressure on myself to have success and to get that first Group 1,” he says. “I love being part of a team, and working with like-minded people towards a similar goal - that’s exactly what Amo are.

“They’re very passionate, wear their hearts on their sleeves and aren’t afraid of a challenge. The perfect example was Power Blue at the weekend. A lot of others would have shied away and gone for calmer waters, avoiding horses like True Love and Gstaad at declarations. When you’re working for a team like that, and even working with people like Ryan McElligott in that team, you can’t go too far wrong. It was great that Kia was at the Curragh to enjoy those winners last weekend.”

Team goal

He adds: “I’m sure it’s not only people putting pressure on me; I’m sure Kia can feel pressure himself. If you didn’t feel that when things aren’t going well, there’s probably something wrong. You’ve got to feel like that to change things and get results. Thankfully, when you’ve got the ammunition Amo Racing has, hopefully success is an inevitability, even if it will take time - and you make sure to take nothing for granted. You’ve got to take the chances when they come your way.”

The coming months have the potential to be very exciting indeed for these prominent purple and white silks. Powerful speedball Arizona Blaze is one of the leading contenders for next Friday’s Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

“I love that horse,” enthuses Egan, who recently pulled off a lucrative International Handicap-Stewards’ Cup double on Two Tribes for trainer Richard Spencer.

“He’s one of my favourites in training and I think he deserves a Group 1, having only narrowly been beaten in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Everything went right that day and he got beaten by a very good filly [Time For Sandals].

“He’ll have no problem back at five furlongs and seems to like keeping busy, improving with his runs. I guess with him being placed at the Breeders’ Cup last year, maybe something like that will be on the agenda later down the line too.”

Another Group 1 sprint, where Egan and Amo Racing have very legitimate claims, is the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend. Having reportedly failed to get a single mare in foal during a stint at stud, 2023 Phoenix Stakes hero Bucanero Fuerte looks well on his way back to his best in taking Group 3 honours at the Curragh.

“I know it was a Group 1 that Power Blue won, but I nearly got as much of a kick out of winning on Bucanero Fuerte in the Group 3,” Egan beams.

‘Magnificent job’

“A horse who was covering mares only a couple of months earlier, he’s still a colt, and has the mindset that he has. It was fantastic. He wasn’t in a good place after meeting with an issue on his travels to Royal Ascot, so to go from that frightening time to this is magic. The vets did a magnificent job, as did Adrian [Murray] and Robson [Aguiar] to get him back. His mindset and will to win is a credit to the horse.”

Egan adds: “I think whatever goes for the Flying Five Stakes, the leading fancies will be eyeing up Bucanero as a strong contender. I wouldn’t be getting off him. With the will to win he has, and how hard he hit the line, it’d be frightening how quickly he could go over five furlongs and stay going.”

It’s not impossible that the Irish Champions Festival could also be calling for Power Blue after upsetting 1/4 favourite True Love over six furlongs last time. How would Egan feel about trying an extra furlong in the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes?

“No problem,” is the emphatic response.

“I knew when he won his maiden the very first day [over five furlongs] that he’d get that trip. Stamina is exactly what he wants, I thought he was screaming for seven furlongs before the other day and he’ll probably eventually get a mile. He’s just that type of versatile horse, while still having a lot of natural speed. I think he’s got everything you want in a horse, really.”

An unusual link between Bucanero Fuerte, Arizona Blaze and Power Blue is that all three managed to win the first two-year-old maiden of the season at the Curragh. They have all progressed extremely well with racing, despite being more precious than most early in their careers.

“They’re three very similar horses,” Egan points out. “It’s their style of racing, the way they act, the great minds they have, how they can be sleep walking around the paddock and then a switch flicks and they turn on the taps. It’s exciting times with the three of them.”

It’s hardly a surprise that the St Leger, Juddmonte International and Dubai Sheema Classic-winning rider has the right temperament for his own high-stakes job either. He’s been steeped in racing all his life as the son of Irish Grand National-winning trainer Sandra Hughes and classic-winning jockey John Egan. He’s also the grandson of the legendary Dessie Hughes.

“I enjoy coming home whenever I’m riding in Ireland - it’s nice to see some old familiar faces and family,” says Egan.

“It feels important. I moved to England when I was 16 and I won’t say I lost touch, but I don’t take for granted the time spent with family. To do that while racing is a win-win for me.

In the blood

“My mam was over the moon and dad was proud as punch as well. They’re obviously both involved in the game - both winners at the top level - and understand what goes into it. They know how much we want it every day.”

Having turned 57 this year, John Egan is still competing in the British weighing room and played a major role in helping his son settle in when first settling across the Irish Sea.

“I actually just spoke to dad on his way to Kempton to ride two horses, both maidens first-time-out and 125/1… He’s absolutely buzzing going to the races!” Egan quips.

“To have that love of the game still is a credit to him. I hope I still have half of it at his age. He’s riding as well as ever and is having a decent season. He’s doing something he loves, has no weight problems and racing is his life. Why shouldn’t he staying going to 60? Why not?”

He adds: “My dad had his trainer’s licence and rode his own horses before, but he might have been going through the motions a little. He was running a stud farm for a good Bahraini friend of his, Khalid Abdul Rahim, in Friarstown Stud. When I wanted to go to England, he basically moved back there to guide me in the right direction. The two of us lived together until well after I lost my claim and I got my own house. He set me on the right path and we were both training together, working hard watching replays… Racing was completely our life and there was nothing else. When you’re growing up, your father is your hero, so to see the drive he showed for racing, you knew you needed to want it 100%.”

A new name from the same family has recently arrived amongst the riding ranks in Britain too. David’s sister Alexandra has managed to ride two Newmarket winners this summer after making the switch from Ireland.

“She’s my newest lodger!” laughs David.

“Obviously it’s notoriously tough to make the breakthrough as a young rider in Ireland and the opportunities aren’t as fruitful as they are over here. She has the groundwork of experience from riding with the Hartys for a couple of seasons and has ridden in point-to-points, so she’s a well-accomplished horsewoman. Coming over here and getting her eye in with more race-riding every week will only help her improve. I’m very proud of her.

“Work ethic is a big thing, I find, and if you’re willing to work, I think you’ll get the opportunities over here. Maybe whereas in Ireland, no matter how hard you work, it can feel like trying to break down a wall with a toothpick.

“Horses are obviously a huge part of my family. My brother [Philip] works for Ian McCarthy, riding in the odd point-to-point too. He seems to get on really well and I think he loves everything he’s doing there, from jumpers to flat horses, pre-training and breezers. Ian used to work for my grandfather Dessie and is an extremely hard worker.”

Agent support

Aside from his family, Egan credits a “really good support network” as playing a strong role in his progression as a rider.

“I’m lucky to have people who help me in every walk of life,” he explains. “My agent Charlie Sutton and I do all the form work together and are a real team. Whether it’s a Group 1 day or a maiden at Ffos Las, we go through all the races and make a plan. We first met when he was race planning for Roger Varian and just clicked. After I parted ways with my previous agent, Tony Hind, I asked him very politely, you could say, but actually I begged him would he become my agent.

“He was reluctant at the start, stepping into something new, but I thought he’d be the perfect person. To have a good friend as your agent who wants you to succeed as much as you do, I really appreciate all he does for me. That preparation helps my mindset that we’ve got every base covered.

“I’ve got a personal trainer who helps me with my fitness, and people at Amo Racing who look after my day-to-day travel. Me being able to concentrate on riding horses in the morning and getting to the track with a clear mind, not worrying about anything else, it has to be a big benefit.”

Egan has proven he can deliver when the chips are down on the track, and one of his greatest passions away from racing is another intense pursuit. Just like ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell, the Saudi Cup-winning jockey enjoys spending his downtime immersed in the game of poker.

“I’ve always played and had a fascination about it for some reason, I don’t know why,” he explains.

“I wouldn’t be a gambler as such, but I enjoy playing cards and it keeps your mind occupied. On a day off, I could easily go down to a poker tournament, arrive at midday, still be there at midnight and be as happy as Larry. I don’t do it often, only if racing permits and the timescale is right, but there are a couple of decks shuffled when the chance arises.

“I’ve been across a few tables from Oli in my time. He’s really good and is actually a very good coach for giving me advice. I’m nowhere near professional or semi-professional, but I do really enjoy the game and he probably sees my passion for it as much as his.”

He adds: “You might think you understand the game of poker - I might consider myself a student of the game having loved it for so many years - yet you still play against some people and realise it takes a lifetime to master something like that. You never stop learning, as is the case in racing, and it definitely keeps you humble.

“I think it teaches you patience. Reading people is a big thing, I find that fascinating. Their body language and so on. You can pretty much read a person in racing by looking at them, you don’t have to say too much. You know what to say and when to say it.”

With any number of big-money aces in the pack from Amo’s high-profile spending sprees, there are bound to be some golden opportunites on the road ahead for David Egan. He won’t be found wanting when it comes to covering the necessary miles. He and Joorabchian are going all in.

What are you listening to while on the road between race meetings?

I’ve got very different personalities when it comes to music. I’m a big fan of Robbie Williams and James Blunt, and then on the other side I’m big into rap music; the likes of Headie One, Dave, Eminem, Central Cee, Tupac and some of the old school ones. I will say, I’d probably be listening to those when I’m on my own driving!

Tell us something about you that might surprise people.

Well, people will know now after this interview, but I play poker and enjoy it. I try to get better at it, though I’m not very good - in comparison to Oli Bell anyway.

What’s your favourite film?

I love Invictus, the movie about the South African rugby team in the 1995 World Cup and Nelson Mandela.

What advice would you like to have given your 18-year-old self?

Keep doing what you’re doing. I’ve always believed in myself, but it’s about getting other people to believe in that. They sometimes only see it when the results come. Just because the opportunities to prove that aren’t there immediately, don’t feel you’re doing the wrong thing. Keep chipping away.

What do you miss most about Ireland?

Delis. They don’t do them at all over here. I inquired about potentially opening one up before but I’ve heard it’s been done before and they didn’t catch on; somebody lost heavily financially. I’ll have to steer clear of that.

What race has been your favourite to ride in?

Mishriff winning the Dubai Sheema Classic in 2021.

What race defeat still stings?

Mishriff losing the Eclipse to Vadeni in 2022.

Give us a dark horse for the future.

A horse called Ancient Egypt, who won a novice at Beverley for Charlie Johnston in the Amo colours a couple of weeks ago. That was his only start. He’s a gorgeous two-year-old by Frankel.