Flemington is no stranger to Nick Ryan, he has been there often in a career riding over 500 winners as a jockey, and now has trained his very first winner when Mahamedeis won at Flemington.

He was the only apprentice rider in the history of Victorian racing, since records were kept from 1900, was premier jockey, with 83 winners in season 2004-05, he defeated Damian Oliver by 6 wins.

After a very successful apprenticeship with Robert Smerdon, Nick didn’t wait around for long, he retired from riding in 2009, he was seldom seen at the races since.

His dad, Brendan, was also a jockey apprenticed to the late Bert Honeychurch at Berrigan, he had had a number of good riders attached to the stable, among them was Brendan.

It didn’t take Nick long to follow in the footsteps of his dad, he had to be good he was out in the same era as Blake Shinn, both were gentlemen and exceptional jockeys.

Mahamedeis was not an expensive yearling, he is by Magnus, he cost $24,000 as a yearling, and has shown a return of $108,205 in stakes from 5 starts, he is certainly paying his way.

Ryan Maloney who is riding on the crest of a wave at present, allowed the colt to settle well before his assault on the leading division.

This is the first horse that Nick has syndicated; he had a happy bunch of owners after the race, including John Cole, a son of former Flemington trainer Les Cole, who operated out of stables in Fisher Parade. That was a long time ago.

   Ryan Maloney and Nick Ryan all smiles after the win