That’s how far the lad who grew up on a dairy farm at Winslow and broke too many bones to remember in a short career as a jumps jockey has come since taking up training 10 years ago.

Maher was booked on a commercial flight to Brisbane this morning at 7 o’clock for a lunchtime speaking engagement before tomorrow’s group 1 $1 million BTC Cup, in which he saddles up talented mare Srikandi.

But with celebrations from a famous Grand Annual victory to be had, Maher will take a later, private flight in what is shaping as a big weekend for his stable, which has runners in three states tomorrow.

Maher joined elite company yesterday when Regina Coeli outstayed her rivals to produce a popular home-town victory. It was the third time Maher has won the Annual, elevating him alongside the late, great Kevin Lafferty and Vic Douglas.

They sit third on the list of the Annual’s most successful trainers in the past 68 years, two behind New Zealander John Wheeler and one adrift of the late Jim Houlahan.

The 33-year-old, who won the race with Al Garhood in 2010 and 2011, said the Grand Annual triumphs sat above his other training performances, which have included two $1 million group 1 victories and a host of group 2, 3 and listed races.

“This is the best race,” he said. 

“Just to prepare your horses, it takes so long, years to season them ready for it, just the thrill of this race, it’s amazing. I was only telling some of the trainers at Caulfield the other day they need to have a runner in it, it’s something else.”

The win had added family significance. Regina Coeli is a half-sister to Al Garhood, a horse that kick-started Maher’s career.

His father John, a part-owner of both horses, found their mother Alstomeria at a sale in Sydney about six years ago.

Hamilton vet Ian McLeod checked out the mare and discovered she was in foal. Maher senior purchased the mare for $3000 and when Regina Coeli was born, Ciaron earmarked her to become a jumper.

Yesterday’s win was six years in the making.

“Her brother was a bit more of a dasher but this one is probably a better stayer. They are both good horses,” Maher said.

He said their victories had different meanings for him.

“He was a great horse and I was kicking off. For her to do it, it is just unbelievable really. My old man bought the mare, bred her and Shayne Fisher broke her in. It’s just great.”

Regina Coeli became the first mare in 32 years since Venite in 1983 to win the marathon and just the seventh from 138 Annuals contested in the race’s 143-year history. The only other mares to win the race were Junction Lass (1968), Quail (1908), Mistletoe (1899), Adeline (1888) and Gazelle (1881).

Irish jockey John Allen timed their run to perfection. They were just off the pace and when they turned for home after the Tozer Road double, they started a searching run as the pace quickened.

Despite an awkward landing at the second-last jump, they cleared the final obstacle in third, just behind the Patrick Payne-trained Lord Of The Song and the Aaron Purcell-trained Dhaafer.

In a three-way sprint for the line, Regina Coeli put her nose in front with 200 metres to run, holding off a brave effort by the top-weight and $2.90 favourite Lord Of The Song while Dhaafer ($11) was a further three-quarters of a length away third.

In a stunning display of jumps racing, all nine runners cleared the 33 fences and completed the 5500 metres. 

Payne was delighted with Lord Of The Song’s performance under the weight of 69 kilograms, five more than the winner.

“The winner was just too good on the day,” Payne said. 

Purcell was upbeat with the effort of his English import, which finished third for the second time in three years.

“It was a great run. It was a tough race for me to watch. I was the most nervous I’ve been watching a race because I know how much time, effort and work we had put in getting him there (after missing last year because of a tendon injury).”