Niall McCullagh has been established as one of Ireland’s most consistent lightweight jockeys for over 20 years and he continues to ride as well as ever. Associated with a number of different Curragh-based trainers during his career, he has consistently ridden big-race winners for a wide variety of handlers. Still capable if riding at 8-0 when required, he remains in high demand and often picks up useful spare lightweight rides. While he has never won a Group 1, he has been a regular visitor to the big-race winner’s enclosure.
Principal Trainers: John Oxx, Michael Grassick
Notable Wins:
- Joe McGrath European Breeders Fund Handicap (Thats A Fret 2010)
- Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes (Shareen 2010)
- Lenebane Stakes (Karasiyra 2010, Raydiya 2008)
- Scurry Handicap (Mountain Coral 2009, Conormara 2000)
- Golden Fleece Stakes (Bruges 2007)
- Rochestown Stakes (Irish Jig 2007)
- Navigation Stakes (Farinelli 2006)
- Palace House Stakes (Dandy Man 2006)
- September Handicap (Hard Rock City 2005, Spanish John 2004, Lowlander 2002)
- Marble Hill Stakes (Waterways 2005)
- C L Weld Park Stakes (Jazz Princess 2004)
- Give Thanks Stakes (My Renee 2004)
- International Stakes (Red Feather 2004)
- Harvest Stakes at Ascot (My Renee 2003)
- Salsabil Stakes (Crimphill 2003)
- Greenlands Stakes (Tiger Royal 2002)
- Garnet Stakes (Gaelic Queen 2001)
- Blue Wind Stakes (Adonesque 2001)
- Tote Ireland Handicap (Tarakan 2000)
- Ulster Derby (General Cloney 1999)
- E.B.F. Summer Fillies Handicap (Realt Dhun Eibhir 1997)
- McDonogh Handicap (Be My Hope 1993)
- Tipperary Sprint Race (Rosie’s Mac 1993)
A Productive 2010
McCullagh rarely goes through a season without winning a big race and 2010 proved to be particularly lucrative in that regard. In July, he partnered the John Oxx-trained Karasiyra to a short-head success in the Listed Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon. Not long after that, McCullagh made his way to Korea to represent Ireland in their International Jockey Invitational at Seoul Race Park in August and he returned from that trip seemingly brimming with confidence. Not long after returning from there, he had a memorable two days in September, winning the Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes at Gowran Park on the John Oxx-trained Shareen before winning the valuable Joe McGrath European Breeders Fund Handicap on the Liam McAteer-trained Thats A Fret at the Curragh the following day.
Niall McCullagh skills show no sign of blunting and he looks set to carry on riding big winners for many seasons to come.
Info supplied by Horse Racing Ireland - Updated January 2011
