Martin Harley ends nine-year Group 1 drought with huge win in Australia

Donegal jockey Martin Harley bridged a nine-year gap to claim a sixth Group 1 victory of his career.

The Trentagh native was at Eagle Farm on Saturday, where he was on board smart two-year-old Cool Archie for trainers Chris and Corey Munce.

The pair, who went off at 19/5, won by a length and a quarter in the J.J Atkins race, ahead of favourite Hidden Achievement and James McDonald in the one-mile race.

It's a first Group 1 victory in Australia for Harley, who suffered a long-term injury in a fall back in 2023, fracturing his neck.

But he has tasted plenty of success since returning to action Down Under, including winning the Magic Millions Guineas last year.

And a first Group 1 since 2016 in Saturday's $1 million race made it all the sweeter for Harley.

"I thought if this story ended the way it did then it would be too good to be true but I had belief in the horse," Harley said after the race.

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"It's very special, it's been a while between wins in the Group 1, and I'm glad to get back on the Group 1 board."

Harley celebrated by heading for England to attend the Royal Ascot festival that begins on Tuesday, where fellow Donegal jockeys Oisin Orr and Dylan Browne McMonagle have rides.