“Hitotsu was really only playing around as a two-year-old but he showed a little something, didn’t he?” Allen said. “I went to Donald one Sunday to ride him in a maiden, and two runs later we win the Derby at Flemington. Plenty of good horses come out of the winter or from those country tracks. You’ve got to be out there riding the work to find them.”
And Allen does exactly that, putting in the work at trackwork and smaller meetings, always on the lookout for the next champion. His rise from an unknown Irish jumps jockey to one of Australia’s premier riders is evidence of his talent, perseverance, and the belief that the right opportunity can come from anywhere.
“I’ve been lucky to ride for top trainers who always have their horses ready for the big races,” he said. “It’s about having faith in the horse and letting them find their rhythm.”
That trust in his mounts is a characteristic of Allen’s riding style. Known for his calm approach, he never rushes a horse early, always ensuring they travel comfortably before making his move. It’s a technique honed in his early years in Ireland and one that has served him well in Australia’s toughest races.
“Personally, I don’t like putting pressure on early in distance races, especially with young horses going out over a distance. I like to let them get comfortable and relax, we find a place when things settle and then you trust your horse and its rhythm. I don’t mind if I’m three wide with some cover, I just want that horse travelling well.
“That’s how we learned to ride at home, you let them find their feet, it’s just something I’ve always done,” he said.
With every ride, every race, and every new challenge, John Allen continues to prove he belongs among the best.
