Meanwhile, Declan<\/a> earlier this year planted his flag in southeast Queensland where he’s been quietly building his own racing operation, determined to step out from the shadow of his brother after previously running Ciaron’s Ballarat<\/a> stable.<\/p>\n The perfect illustration of their intertwined destinies came on Boxing Day at the Sunshine Coast<\/a>. <\/p>\n Declan was enjoying the festive racing when connections of runner-up Jemoma Alpilage<\/a> launched a protest against Ciaron’s winner Nails Murphy<\/a> following a Class 3 Plate (1600m)<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2022 Rothfire, Rockribbed set for epic rematch in Buffering<\/a><\/p>\n “The stewards rang me and said \u2018Mr Maher can you come in and represent your brother in the protest’, Declan recalled.<\/p>\n “I said \u2018no problem’ although I hadn’t really watched the race that closely.<\/p>\n “We won the protest and I said \u2018geez I’m still doing my brother’s dirty work’.”<\/p>\n That Boxing Day incident perfectly captures the friendly but fierce rivalry between the brothers, who may now find themselves on a genuine collision course this Saturday at Eagle Farm<\/a>.<\/p>\n Declan will run eight-year-old gelding Sibaaq<\/a> in the Shoot Out<\/a> (2100m), which offers the winner an exemption into the $1m Magic Millions Subzero<\/a> (2200m) on the Gold Coast<\/a> on January 17.<\/p>\n However, the trainer will only be chasing the $72,500 for the winning connections because, being a UK import, Sibaaq is ineligible to race at the Magic Millions meeting.<\/p>\n Trainer Declan Maher with his partner Tylah and young son Caolan. Picture: Supplied<\/p>\n \u2022 Collett bounces back from Paradoxium blow with winning quartet<\/a><\/p>\n Ciaron has nominated Mr Buster<\/a> for the $125,000 Shoot Out but the Irish import may not make the final field.<\/p>\n “I was talking to Ciaron at the races on Saturday and he said he’s not sure if he’s running him or not,” Declan revealed.<\/p>\n “Maybe I’ve scared him off! We’ve probably faced off about half-a-dozen times but obviously not in a race like that (the Shoot Out).<\/p>\n “But if I win he’d be the first person to come up and congratulate me.<\/p>\n “Ciaron and I still work well together. I’ve got a few of his horses in my barn that are racing up here. He helps me out and I help him too.<\/p>\n “I still ask him for advice. He’s a pretty handy brother to have if I’ve got a question about a horse that I’m training.”<\/p>\n There are zero questions about Sibaaq’s ability following his drought-breaking victory against quality rivals such as Walsh Bay<\/a>, Galifianakis<\/a> and Felix The Scat<\/a> in an 1800m Handicap at Eagle Farm just five days before Christmas.<\/p>\n All class from SIBAAQ \ud83d\udca5![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3ecc930c23dfcddcdb9f15f93fb1ec45.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
A bold, front-running performance at Eagle Farm for @MaherRacing<\/a> !
Huge congrats to our owners! \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/Jt8GqSh0oy<\/a><\/p>\n