Alice Springs trainer Dan Morgan is preparing to relocate to the Gold Coast.
After six years in the NT as a jockey and trainer, the 30-year-old is basically heading home.
“I grew up there, I’ve got family and friends there,” he said.
“I got home from the Darwin Cup Carnival and decided that it’s the right time to go.
“The Northern Territory has been very good to me.
“It will be sad to leave, but it’s time to move on and have a go at some big and better things.”
Originally from New Zealand, Morgan grew up on the Gold Coast and returned to New Zealand before starting his apprenticeship in South Australia.
“I was flying up here to ride when I was based in Adelaide,” Morgan said.
“I was meant to be here on a three-month loan with trainer Greg Connor.
“As a kid, I lived on the Gold Coast for about 10 years.
“My family and my owners are all jumping on board, they’re excited about my pending move.
“Greg Irvine from Magic Millions has been a big help over there on the Gold Coast.
“I’m looking to leave by mid-December.”
Morgan has also confirmed that his riding days are over after having four bookings at Pioneer Park on August 25 due to a jockey shortage.
That was his first day back in the saddle since a one-off appearance in March.
From January 2021 until August 2022, Morgan took time off because of weight issues.
It was after accompanying a team for Connor as foreman for the 2022 Darwin Cup Carnival that Morgan had thoughts of becoming a trainer.
Morgan made his training debut in the Red Centre in April last year, when Barocco Bar finished fourth.
The following month he celebrated his first win with Angelluccis on Tennant Creek Cup Day before experiencing his first Alice Springs win with Barocco Bar.
“I made the decision after that August meeting that I was going to pull the pin as a jockey,” Morgan said.
“I love riding trackwork, I’m still very hands on with my horses.
“When you have a horse arrive in poor condition and you have it looking spick and span and then it goes out and does its best and wins a race, that’s my biggest thrill ever as a trainer.
“I love it more than riding.”
Morgan boasts 59 wins as a jockey and 23 wins as a trainer.
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