Richard “Darby” McCarthy

A trailblazer for indigenous jockeys in Australia, Ricahrd "Darby" McCarthy rode with great success in Europe where he scored in more than 1000 races. Originally from western Queensland, he came to Brisbane in his early teens and quickly established himself as a big race rider. In a golden period from 1963 to 1969 he rode big race winner after winner.

His major Australian successes included the Stradbroke Handicap (Mullala, Cele's Image, Castanea), AJC Epsom (Broker's Tip), Brisbane Cup (Apa), AJC Derby (Divide and Rule), Doomben 10,000 (Gay Gauntlet), QTC Exhibition Handicap (Mullala, Oxford King), Summer Cup (Midswain), Tattersall's Cup (Dow Street), Autumn Stakes (El Ungar), Lilley Handicap (Iruklam), Healy Stakes (New Zealand), Brisbane Handicap (Mullala), Caddell-Garrick Handicap (Tondawanna), Moreton Handicap (Apa) and Sandgate Handicap (Mullala).