Faehr chasing Birdsville Cup double

By Jordan Gerrans

The 2022 Birdsville Cup was the most emotive victory of jockey Robert Faehr’s almost 24 years in the saddle and he believes he has got the galloper to win the iconic race in two straight years.

It was Philip Cole’s Saccharo that handed the 40-year-old Faehr the famous Cup last year, romping in by more than four lengths in the early September running of the race.

The big triumph spurred on the Longreach-based hoop to one of the greatest seasons of his riding tenure, taking out the Queensland Country Jockey’s Premiership a few months later.

The father of three was driving to Birdsville on Thursday morning ahead of the two-day carnival and thinks his Cup ride in 2023 will be just as competitive as Saccharo.

While the iconic Cup victory was a bucket list item for Faehr last year, what made it even more significant was that he had his young son Rhys track side to savour the moment.

Rhys has opted to stay home in Longreach this time around.

The well-travelled jockey reflected on Saccharo’s dominant performance on the dirt last year.

“It was very emotional for me,” the veteran hoop said.

“I had ridden in the Birdsville Cup a few times before last year but I never really had rides that were real winning hopes, whereas last year I knew I was on a good chance.

“I have not done much in my whole riding career but it is certainly a highlight of mine to win this race.

“Winning a race like this might not mean much to other people but for me, it meant the world to me. It is a race that I had always wanted to win.”

With Cole’s Saccharo not making the trip to the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival this year, Faehr needed to find a new Cup ride and is confident about what he has found.

After initially thinking he was set to partner Bevan Johnson’s Deep Breath, he has been booked aboard Villaden for Chinchilla’s Rodney Hay.

Faehr was in the saddle of Villaden last Saturday at Betoota as the 'River Circuit’ for 2023 commenced, finishing second in the Cup behind Nyngan galloper All Words.

All Words will not be backing up in the Birdsville Cup.

Villaden was beaten less than half a length on the dirt at Betoota and if the race had panned out better for Faehr, he believes the result would have gone the other way.

Faehr was stuck ‘three and four deep’ at Betoota and Hay has since reported his galloper has come through the ‘hard run’ strongly and is ready to back-up seven days later.

“I was not happy with my ride last week at Betoota but I was caught under circumstances,” Faehr said.

“He had a hard run last week and I do think he should have won.

“He had a wide run throughout and I just couldn’t get in, he probably peaked on his run 100 metres out.

“In saying that, he was bound to feel the pinch a 100 metres from home.

“I was so happy with the horse but I was just pretty upset I could not get in.”

Birdsville Race Club Vice President Gary Brook thinks the entire 'River Circuit’ – including the Betoota, Birdsville and Bedourie race meetings – have helped draw strong fields to the regional area this year.

“I don't think the prize money is the major draw card, but to have a $50,000 Cup at Birdsville and even the surrounding race meetings we've had Betoota on Saturday, which is in our local shire, and Bedourie next weekend, as well,” Brook said on ABC radio earlier this week.

“There's about $450,000 on offer over basically four days of racing over 14 days.”

Following Birdsville, Faehr will complete the circuit by riding at Bedourie the following Saturday.

Faehr claimed the bush rider's premiership with 43 victories last season, edging out apprentice Tyler Leslight who finished two winners back.

He did a stack of riding for the Hay and David Rewald stables last season, which helped in the premiership chase.

And, as Hay has put Faehr on in Saturday’s Cup, he is keen to repay the prolific country and provincial trainer and owner.

“Rodney has been loyal to me, I have won a number of races for him before as well as qualifying Galapagos twice for the Battle of the Bush,” he said.

“I feel privileged that he has kept me on after my mix-up ride last week.

“Rodney has lots of horses and puts plenty of time and money into country racing.

“I ride a lot for David Rewald and Rodney owns a lot of his horses – without those guys last year then I wouldn’t have been able to win the premiership I did.

“I owe them a lot, I am glad they have stuck by me and hopefully I can do the same for them this weekend.”

The two-day Birdsville carnival kicks off with six TAB races on Friday before the Cup program the following afternoon.