They were heady days for the then 18-year-old, who also finished third on Zazzman (Distinctly North {USA}) in the 2004 G1 Melbourne Cup before weight issues eventually forced him out of the saddle in 2009.
One missing entry on his riding CV was a Group 1 victory, finishing runner-up no fewer than six times and went closest aboard Alinghi (Encosta de Lago) when they were beaten by the slenderest of margins in the G1 Myer Classic by Miss Potential (Dolphin Street {Fr}).
On retirement, Ryan spent time in Singapore with trainers Cliff Brown and John O’Hara before returning home to ride work for Lloyd Williams and a spell as foreman with trainer and close friend Brett Cavanough.
He took out his own trainer’s licence in 2014 and four years later saddled his first Group 1 runner when Mahamedeis (Magnus) finished fifth in the Queensland Derby.
Mahamedeis as a yearling
Group 1 attack
Mahamedeis is now part of a two-pronged attack at Caulfield to land Ryan his first Group 1 training success when he runs in the Lamaro’s Hotel South Melbourne Toorak H. while Express Pass (Wandjina) takes his place in the Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas.
"It's probably my biggest day as a trainer or jockey, in either career," he said. "If one of them was to win, or even run a place it would be a big thrill, but we're there to win.”
Ryan said training was a more challenging vocation than riding with constant pressure to get results for owners and he’s hoping a plan put in place some time ago can be executed by Mahamedeis on Saturday.
“He’s certainly going really well and it’s the best he’s ever been. He was set for this race a while ago and he’s done everything right and I’m really happy with him going into the Toorak.”
“He was set for this race a while ago and he’s done everything right and I’m really happy with him going into the Toorak.” – Nick Ryan.
The 5-year-old has won seven races, including two over a mile at Caulfield, and Ryan said he had enjoyed a trouble-free preparation this spring.
Mahamedeis was sixth when resuming at Moonee Valley and then finished second in the G2 Feehan S. before finishing a last-start sixth under 59kg. He drops back on Saturday to 54.5kg with Ben Melham booked for the ride.
“I’m really happy with him and he’s got a good gate and he’s got a good jockey,” Ryan said.
He has future options in mind for Mahamedeis, but will wait until after the weekend before setting anything in stone.
“There are a couple of other races for him during the Flemington carnival, but we’ll get Saturday out of the way first. We could maybe look at the Cantala S.,” Ryan said.
Hiccup comes to pass
While Mahamedeis’ preparation has been a smooth one all the way through, the same can’t be said for Express Pass.
The spring started off in the best possible fashion when he broke his maiden at Bendigo and was then a fast-finishing third in the G2 Danehill S. before a hiccup in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude with Express Pass taken out of contention when Yourdeel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) came to grief.
“It was just a complete forget run. The horse of Hayes’ fell and he went straight over the top of him. He was entitled to drop out and run last, but he passed a few in the straight,” Ryan said.
“It wasn’t the ideal lead-up run with that mishap, but he came through it all well. His previous run in the Danehill was super and the form line with Dalasan is a strong one. He’s got a big engine, he’s going right and is a very promising horse.”
“He’s got a big engine, he’s going right and is a very promising horse.” – Nick Ryan.
Ryan said the only question mark might be Express Pass’ ability to run a strong 1600 metres, but there is enough in his pedigree to suggest it won’t be a problem.
A $38,000 purchase out of Blue Gum Farm’s Inglis Melbourne Vobis Gold Yearling Sale, Express Pass is from the family of the G1 Randwick Guineas winner Kementari (Lonhro), the G3 Edward Manifold S. winner So Gorgeous (Brief Truce {USA}), G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Wild Queen (Loup Sauvage {USA}) and Tipungwuti (Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}), who won the G2 Tulloch S.
Express Pass as a yearling
"Possibly the only query is whether he's going to run the mile. We didn't get the right guide the other day, but he has drawn well and this has been the target race for a long time,” Ryan said.
"He's given me every indication he will run the distance, but we'll find out on Saturday.
“He's got the winkers on from barrier eight. If he can get a good run and produce the sectionals he can reel off, he's got to be a live chance.”
