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Tony Allan (born in Pukekohe, Auckland Region) is a New Zealand jockey
He started his apprenticeship at age 16 to Grant Searle in Levin.[1] He said he was inspired to become a jockey by his late father who would frequently take him to the Levin racecourse.
He is best known for riding Empire Rose to victory in the 1988 Melbourne Cup.[2]
Over the course of his racing career Tony accomplished 12 Group 1 wins.
The following are some of the major races Tony has won in his career.
| Year |
Race |
Horse |
Trainer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Hawke's Bay Guineas | Buzz Lightyear | Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu |
| 1999 | Desert Gold Stakes | Thee Old Dragon | Alan Jones & Brett McDonald, Cambridge |
| 1997 | Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes | Kilmore Quay | John Wheeler, New Plymouth |
| 1997 | Fayette Park Stud Stakes (G2), Ellerslie | Great Command | Michael Moroney, Matamata |
| 1996 | Waikato Guineas (G3) | Great Command | Michael Moroney, Matamata |
| 1996 | Stewards Stakes Handicap (G3) | Kincaple Lad | Neil Coulbeck, Leithfield |
| 1996 | New Zealand St. Leger | Lady Dahar | |
| 1995 | Hawkes Bay Cup | Italian Saint | Noel Eales, Awapuni |
| 1995 | Telegraph Handicap | Lord Tridan | Michael Moroney, Matamata |
| 1994 | Avondale Cup | Ball Park | Michael Moroney, Matamata |
| 1990 | New Zealand Stakes | Riverina Charm | Laurie Laxon |
| 1989 | New Zealand St. Leger | Saveur | |
| 1989 | Trentham Stakes | Empire Rose | Laurie Laxon |
| 1988 | Melbourne Cup | Empire Rose | Laurie Laxon |
| 1988 | LKS Mackinnon Stakes | Empire Rose | Laurie Laxon |
| 1987 | New Zealand 2000 Guineas | Weston Lea | Laurie Laxon |
| 1987 | New Zealand Cup | Empire Rose | Laurie Laxon |
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In 2003, Allan admitted to using methamphetamine.[3] However, he has subsequently worked hard to change his lifestyle and become clean. Tony retired in 2005 and moved to Japan for a break, riding trackwork for around 10 years in Hokkaido before a job with Sydney trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. On 27 May 2017 Tony made a comeback to race day riding in New Zealand.[4]
His first winner back in New Zealand was on Thursday 28 June 2017 at Waverley on My Cool Boy.[5] On Friday 16 March 2018 Tony rode his 1000th winner on New Zealand soil in the opening race at Te Aroha aboard Aigne.[6]
In 2019 it was announced that Tony would head to Queensland to continue his riding career comeback for New Zealand trainer Paddy Busuttin, who was also to come out of retirement to train at Deagon, near Eagle Farm. Tony stated he had previously won "a couple at Eagle Farm and running third on Finezza Belle for Laurie Laxon in a Group Two (Prime Minister’s Cup, 2400m) at the Gold Coast ... I also ran second on Sapio in the Brisbane Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) and I rode Poetic Prince when he ran second to Planet Ruler in the Queensland Guineas (Gr.2, 1600m)".[7]
In December 2019 Tony came back to New Zealand and resumed Raceday riding.
In 2021 Tony commenced as a horse trainer at Otaki.
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