“I’VE ridden in India and Bahrain, but it was bloody hot there,” said the 26-year-old Kilcock-born Robbie Downey after having ridden his first race in Australia at Geelong on 27th January earlier this year.

In March, Downey progressed to winning his first city race on Look Sharpish under the Moonee Valley lights for his primary supporters, the stable of Troy and Leon Cortsens.

“One of my friends over here Jamie Colgan, I messaged him and told him I had an interest in coming over and he said there’s no better place to go than the Cortsens,” said Downey of how he found himself at the Flemington training centre.

First treble

In May he landed his first treble and fast forward to the end of the racing season, and the 25-year-old Downey has ridden 34 winners at the strike-rate of 11%, his mounts’ accumulating just shy of A$950,000 in earnings.

“It’s been brilliant, I absolutely love it here in Australia,” said Downey this week. “To be honest, I never thought I’d do as well as I’ve done.

“I had a chat to my manager Ash Beer and she said, ‘gee you’ve ridden for a lot of the big trainers, and winners for a lot of them’. Mike Moroney, Godolphin, the Hayes team, and obviously the Corstens - they’ve been incredible for me since I arrived.”

For now Downey is planning a short break. “I’m going home for two weeks,” he added. “I have a couple of horses over there and one needs to be sold, hopefully I can get him sold within 10 or 12 days. Good to see the family, my sister has a young child now as well, so it’ll be great to get over and see them.

“My goal for next season is to ride 80-plus winners. It’s not an unrealistic goal; so as long as I can stay injury free and fit I should be okay.”