Not only did Darwin jockey Aaron Sweeney turn 40 on Tuesday, but his mother also arrived in town from Ireland the same day.
Sweeney, who did a lot of amateur work in Ireland, started out as an amateur rider in Australia before acquiring his professional licence in 2013.
Based in Canberra, he agreed to ride for Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer during last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival.
Sweeney had seven Carnival wins, including the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) aboard Dick Leech’s Early Crow and the $40,000 Jaytex Construction Cup (1300m) on Dyer’s Munster.
“Winning the Palmerston was the biggest of my career – I’m going to try and do it again, but I can’t promise anything,” he laughed.
Returning to Canberra, Sweeney decided to relocate to Darwin in October where he has 14 wins this season – including four wins during the 2024 Carnival.
Apart from riding Gary Clarke’s Pink Panther in the $50,000 Metric Mile, it could be a big day for Sweeney as he partners Clarke’s Bel’s Banner in the $32,000 Flying Handicap (1100m) and Ella Clarke’s Wild Beau over 1200m in the $40,000 three-year-old event.
It’s a high-quality Metric Mile field, with leading Darwin Cup hopes Wolfburn and Hettinger squaring off.
“I rode Pink Panther two starts back and won on him, I think he’ll be competitive as the distance will suit him,” Sweeney said.
“Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary thinks a lot of him, he obviously sent him here for a reason.
“So far he’s been going good, we’re hoping for a Cup start.
“Bel’s Banner has been pretty good to me, but she’s drawn a tricky gate.
“She’s been knocking on the door every time I’ve ridden her, while Jarrod Todd has had a couple of wins on her.
“I’ve ridden Wild Beau in its first two Darwin starts.
“He’s won impressively each time over 1100m, I think he’ll be better over 1200m.”
Sweeney is enjoying life in the Top End – he is now the second jockey for the Gary Clarke stable behind Todd.
“It’s been good so far, I’ve been getting plenty of rides for Gary, so I can’t complain too much,” Sweeney said.
“The Clarkes are looking after me, but if Gary doesn’t have anything in a race, I’m happy to ride for someone else.”
Understandably, Sweeney is over the moon that his mother, as well as his niece, are in Darwin.
“I haven’t seen Mum in five years because of Covid,” he said.
“They’re here until August 14 for the Cup and to see a bit of Darwin.
“Mum has never been to Darwin before – she visited me over Christmas and New Year’s in NSW in 2019.
“It’s also good to have Mum and friends from Canberra here for my 40th birthday party on Saturday night.
“I celebrated the birthday socially on Tuesday over dinner and a few beers.”
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