Carroll set for first spell in Australia with Baker

Gary Carroll is heading to Australia later this month to work for Bjorn Baker, who trains at Warwick Farm racecourse in Sydney.

Carroll rode 27 winners during the recently-completed Irish season and finished off the campaign by landing the valuable November Handicap on the Joe Murphy-trained Swamp Fox at Naas on Sunday.

It was Carroll's second big handicap success of the year at Naas following Irish Lincolnshire victory on Brendan Brackan for Ger Lyons on the first day of the season in March.

Carroll said: "I'm heading to Australia on November 18 and will be there until February.

"I've never been to Australia and I'm looking forward to going there. It was through connections of Ger Lyons' that the link with Bjorn Baker came about."

A former champion apprentice, Carroll, 28, won the Ebor at York on Sesenta for Willie Mullins in 2009 and has enjoyed Group- and Listed-race success.

The jockey added: "I was hoping to hit the 30-winner mark this season but came up a bit short, although my prize-money earnings were up on last year.

"They ride tight in Australia and race times are a big thing there, so riding there should be educational and a help to my career."

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