Category: Welfare

By Abby Delucyk

It’s not every day you hear that a 27yr old has made the decision to start her jockey apprenticeship. But for a determined Sarah McDonough, this career switch is a long time in the making.

After 12 years working in the horse racing industry, Sarah McDonough’s love of horses has transpired into a life-long career. Her sheer dedication has taken her to places she didn’t even was possible.

Originally from South Australia, Sarah doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t horseback. She grew up at Pony Club and on the equestrian scene with eventing being her main discipline.

Having competed since she was 9, McDonough accumulated an extensive trophy cabinet. She won the State Championships at every grade of Pony Club and represented South Australia twice at the Interschool National Championships in 2011 and 2012.

Her introduction to the racing industry came through a conversation she had with childhood friend and talented jockey, Jamie Kah. 

“I was 15 at the time when Jamie asked if I wanted a part time stable hand job at John MacMillan’s stable. I worked 3 days a week before school and occasionally help strap on Saturdays and Wednesday if I could get the time off school.

“After I finished school, I started working full time in the stables where I continued to strap regularly and learnt to ride track work,” McDonough said.

As Sarah unlocked a new passion with riding, she took the leap and booked her ticket to England where she worked for Australian trainer Jeremy Gask. “This was such a good experience as I learnt a different way of doing things and a different racing style.”

With international experience under her belt, Sarah returned to home soil where she went on to work for numerous trainers across Australia, including Tony McEvoy, all while completing University.

Sarah even had a stint in Alice Springs where she rode trackwork and worked part time as a Clerk of the Course throughout their Cup Carnival. “I really got serious about becoming an apprentice when I was in Alice Springs, but it was a little hard for me to complete my Certificate III up there”.

After leaving Alice Springs, Sarah found her way to Scone where she worked for Cameron Crockett for 18 months. Most would recognise Sarah as a regular face at the races strapping and then working as a Foreperson for Crockett for a short period until she resigned in May 2022.

“I did take great pride in taking a team of the horses to the races and representing the stable. But I came to Scone with the mission to be an apprentice and at the end of the day it is what I want to do, and I’ve always just done what everyone else wants me to,” Sarah said.

In a twist of fate, both McDonough and Gask have found their way to Scone and joined forces again in June 2022. “Jeremy is very good to work for as he has created a great, relaxed environment on the farm. I’m glad I have now been able to work for Jeremy all these years later as a much more mature person and rider.” she said.

Despite McDonough working on the ground for years, she always had a burning desire to hop in the saddle.

“It wasn’t until I learnt to ride trackwork that I decided I really wanted to ride but, didn’t quite believe I was good enough for it. Being an apprentice is something I have always wanted to do but haven’t gotten the opportunity until now.”

McDonough’s scratched this ‘itch’ to ride last year in November when she finally received her apprenticeship with her master, Jeremy, in which she says was “a long time coming.”

“Jeremy was the one that gave me a chance to start my apprenticeship as one day we were on the truck, and he bought up wanting an apprentice. I just remembering saying, “What about me?”,” Sarah said.

“I started my Certificate III when I first came to Scone but had to put it on hold for a while when things weren’t quite heading in the direction of being an apprentice jockey. I’m really thankful for Scott Thurlow and the team at the Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy for their patience throughout the journey and I wouldn’t have got to this point without the support.”

With 14 trials already under Sarah’s belt, she doesn’t only look up to Jamie Kah as the catalyst for her career but also as an inspiration in terms of riding. 

“I think every female jockey aspire to be like Jamie as she is the pinnacle. Watching the jockeys in Sydney is something you aspire to be like, but I also look up to local jockeys such as Aaron Bullock and Brooke Stower because we ride against them regularly,” Sarah said. Regardless of how McDonough performs in the saddle, her determination will always be her success as she preserves to pursue her dream of riding.

By Abby Delucyk 

From being an assistant Foreperson for Brad Widdup, to earning ribbons in show jumping and educating herself on equine welfare, Emily Spark is well and truly invested in the Racing world. 

It wasn’t until she was 14 that Emily first experienced being horseback, commencing her equestrian journey on trail rides in the scenic Glenworth Valley. With this passion ablaze Emily went on to become a guide for trail riding for Glenworth Valley Riding Adventures, using this as an opportunity to develop her skills. From there, she started to really invest her time and energy into riding after moving to Sydney, taking up lessons at Centennial Park Riding School with riding legend Darren Phillips to develop her skills in jumping and flat work. Her first competition came at 18 at a Camden One Day Event with this time taken allowing her to finish high school and embark on her university degree. 

“I have given most disciplines a go. I competed in dressage competitions around Cobbitty and then won ribbons in show jumping comps, but I always had an interest in Eventing. I love the high energy of all the 3 phases such as the technical aspect of dressage and the thrill of cross country.” 

Emily’s education doesn’t just stop at a university degree, with her completing an equestrian coaching certificate through the mentorship of renowned dressage rider, Pip Cooper. Having this degree allowed Emily to pursue a job as a riding coach for a riding school in Terry Hills, as well as working for a high-performance show jumping team for numerous years. 

Being an off the track Thoroughbred enthusiast Emily currently owns 2 thoroughbreds; 11yo gelding, Woodgrove Mountain, who she has had for 4 years, and recently retired gelding, North Atlantic, formerly trained by Brad Widdup. “Woodgrove Mountain (AKA Axel) was still super green when I got him, coming straight from the racecourse to retiring. My other horse North Atlantic is still super young and needed to go to a good home as he trialled but was considered too slow to race.” Emily aims to start North Atlantic’s retraining process next year, pursuing the path of a show hack or dressage mount. 

In terms of riding success, Emily looks beyond the ribbons and titles. “My biggest achievement would be learning how to be a good and compassionate rider. I think it comes down to setting expectations for your horse but being patient about meeting them. I also have become more educated about retraining and equine physio and nutrition which has developed my understanding of horses.” 

However, in 2019 Emily encountered a nasty injury being thrown off whilst show jumping. With her confidence rattled she started to doubt her own coaching and riding skills, taking a step back in her progress. “It made me question if riding was something I still wanted to do, but I proved myself wrong by getting back on a horse.” 

After her return to riding Emily decided she wanted an opportunity to develop and grow, reaching out to trainer Brad Widdup via email with her resume attached. Recognising Emily’s passion and experience, Brad responded and organised an interview with her where she ultimately received the job as a stable hand for his racing stable in Hawkesbury. “I’m never one to turn down an opportunity and I originally heard about Brad’s stable and loved his attitude and what they were doing there.” 

The transition from being a stablehand to an assistant foreperson came gradually for Spark. “I took more of an interest in going to trials and race meetings as well as taking up more responsibility in the stables. The acting Foreperson left and the current one recommended I step up as she recognised my passion as well as Brad’s wife approaching me to say she has noticed how dedicated I am and offered me the position of assistant foreperson.” 

With this new progression, Emily now is entrusted with the responsibility of going to race meetings and trials to track the horses’ progression, maintaining the stable when the foreperson is away and teaching new stablehands the ropes. 

This new responsibility in her career has forced Emily to manage her time between her own retraining efforts and riding, having the gap in the middle of the day to go home and work with her own thoroughbreds. 

“It has been tricky with race meetings and trials but when I get a weekend off, I try to fit a competition in. It is handy living so close to the stables and having my horses on my property, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! It’s my lifestyle. 

“I’m not ready to move on from Brad yet as I still have a lot to learn and want to see what more I can do. In the future, I would love to go overseas and work for an international trainer just to get a different perspective, but then come home and get back into equine therapy and physio. A dream of mine is to open my own centre for off the track Thoroughbreds and rehoming as many as I can.”

By Abby Delucyk

At the age of 20 Chloe Mannell has achieved a multitude of things within the show jumping world but now she sets her sights on a new challenge, becoming a professional jockey.

For as long as Chloe can remember she has always been on horseback, with her fondest memories including riding around her family’s farm in Wagga Wagga with her older sisters. Chloe grew up riding and owning thoroughbreds including former Kim Waugh trained mare Jewel Quest and gelding Jackpot. “I love thoroughbreds! They are so easy to train and have such a nice temperament. No other breed compares to the nature of thoroughbreds.”

It wasn’t until she was 10 that Chloe started to realise her talent in show jumping and being an adrenaline junky. Chloe immediately fell in love with it – “Show Jumping has always been my thing, but I have done a little bit of Polo cross and showing.” With incredible support from her family, especially her mum, Chloe began to take her training more seriously going on to win prestigious competitions and adding to her ribbon tally every weekend all while still in school. This competitive streak never wavered with Chloe riding on behalf of clients and travelling across Australia to compete in her early years before the demands of school started.

Aside from local competitions Chloe set her sights internationally being one of three show jumpers picked to represent Australia at the 2019 Princess Cup in Thailand, where they placed 6^th overall. 2019 continued to be a winning year with Chloe taking out the Adelaide Junior Grand Prix and being the runner up in the Round 1 of the Australian Junior Championships. With these achievements also came the challenge of covid halting Chloe’s competition stride, with the 2020/21 lockdowns forcing all competitions to close and limiting Chloe’s opportunities to excel.

In 2019 Chloe decided to look for a job riding track work as an avenue to earn some extra money and continue fulfilling her passion of being around horses. This led to her becoming employed as a part time trackwork rider for a trainer at Wagga Wagga, fitting this in before the 9am school bell and on weekends.

“I used to get up before school and ride track work, do a full school’s day and then come home and train for show jumping. I would fit in study at lunchtime in school or try to get as much done as I could in class.”

Upon completing her HSC, Chloe decided to take time off track work riding to focus on her transition into university, completing a Bachelor of Social Work at Charles Sturt University part time. “I think it’s really important to have a second career option in this industry as you just never know.”

It wasn’t until her friend Jasmine suggested for Chloe to join her at Chris Waller’s Rosehill Stable in her uni break that she began trackwork riding again. “I went up only for a couple weeks in my break and haven’t left yet.” she said.

“Chris is an amazing trainer to work for! He always makes time for his staff and is super appreciative of his team even though he is a big trainer.”

Riding track work for Chris Waller has opened new doors for Chloe with, one being her new aspiration of becoming a jockey. “I wasn’t serious about becoming a jockey until I moved to Chris’ stable in December as I thought I would always become a professional show jumper. I remember my first jump out and my stomach just dropping, I instantly fell in love with the adrenaline of it.

I think there may be a few challenges in terms of being a female jockey but I really look up to the likes of Jamie Kah and Kathy O’Hara as I love that they race in the weekday and then compete in jumping on the weekends.”

With being in the supportive environment Chloe has continued to invest her time and efforts into becoming a jockey, enrolling in the Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy to complete her Certificate III in Racing (Track Work). With this qualification under her belt Chloe has set her intentions on making a career out of becoming a jockey, before returning to the show jumping arena to compete full time.

An average day for Chloe entails waking up at 3am to ride for Waller until 9:15, returning home to complete any uni study or catch up on some sleep, before going back to the stables to work from 2-4:30 and then finishing any uni study until she goes to bed and does it all again.

“I definitely want to stay here and give being a jockey a good crack, I genuinely love going to work every day.”

By Abby Delucyk

With the last name Howlett, it’s no surprise Macey has found her way in the Racing industry. Taking after her trainer father Todd Howlett, Macey shares in the love of horses by managing her time between retraining her own off the track Thoroughbreds and riding trackwork for her father’s stable.

Macey Howlett has always been a keen lover of horses and racing being thrown horseback at a young age with the influence and success of her father contributing to her passion of horses. She joined Singleton Pony Club at age 2 to begin riding lessons, entering her first competition at just 3 years of age. “With dad being a trainer, I have always just been around horses which made me really get into Pony club at a young age giving every discipline a go.”

This newfound interest in riding continued to grow, with Macey getting her first horse when she was 3, a mare called ‘Brandy’. She has since added to her collection to include 2 off the track Thoroughbreds, Roy’s Command and Undemocratic who once raced under the Todd Howlett name. “I’ve always loved these horses so the owners decided to give them to me once they retired from racing, allowing me to retrain them myself.”

Eight-year-old gelding Roy’s Command, the stable favourite, and Macey developed a special bond throughout his racing career with Macey strapping him at most of his races and riding him around the farm when she could. “He is a really easy going and a cool horse, being easy to handle and retrain.” This special bond has since grown with Macey leading his retraining, putting him through hours of desensitising activities and honing in on their eventing and show jumping skills for upcoming competitions.

“The first eventing competition I took Roy’s Command to in Quirindi we won! He was still very ‘racehorse minded’ but has definitely improved.” The duo has since significantly progressed in their training and competitions, before lockdowns and the recent weather chaos halted their competition stride.

After pushing past the struggle of the early mornings, Macey began to invest more of her time into learning the ropes of her dad’s stable, leaving her love for racing to overtake her desire to be at school. With her foot already in the door thanks to her dad and her own efforts Macey decided to leave school in year 10, transitioning smoothly from being a student to a full-time track work rider.

“I would wake up early before school and ride as well as spending my weekends helping dad. He wasn’t too happy about me leaving school, but I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do so it was pretty easy to move as I always knew I was going to work there and it was helpful knowing everyone already within the industry.”

With not having to deal with the pressure of school anymore, Macey now fills her days with waking up before the sun to ride track work before returning home to develop her own equestrian skills with her 2 boys. With upcoming competitions in mind, Macey has her eyes set on adding to her ribbon collection with 5yo Undemocratic who she plans to use for eventing competitions.

Between balancing her own retraining efforts and trusted role as a track work rider, Macey is also completing her Certificate III in Racing (Trackwork Rider) with the Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy. With this qualification behind her, Macey dreams to keep the Howlett legacy alive within the racing industry by becoming a racehorse trainer herself taking over the stable in the future. “I’m not 100% set on it but I know I want to continue working with horses”.

By Abby Delucyk

Racing is second nature to 23yr old Sophie Brown. Not even the 3:30am wake ups in the cold or the stress of balancing her full-time role with her own dressage training can take away from Sophie’s love for racing. It’s no wonder she is a trusted junior foreman for Mark Newnham Racing.

Sophie’s love for the racing industry was born through her father who was a professional bookmaker and form analyst with nearly 30 years of experience in the racing industry, being a former racehorse owner himself of ‘Let’s Hurry’. “I clearly remember when I was younger and dad would work from home, I would sit in his office and be like ‘I want to do that (Strapping)’.”

Her love for horses didn’t just stop at the track. “My mum always tells me this story that when I was really young, we went to a show which had pony rides there and I just pointed and said I want to do that”. This led to Sophie constantly begging for a horse. At the age of 8, Sophie started at Vivienne Lander Horse Riding School in which she progressed to get her first thoroughbred ‘Arnie’ at 13 who was a whopping 16.3hh chestnut and then another thoroughbred ‘Wilbur’.

“I would spend every afternoon at the riding school, just helping wherever I could. On the weekend, my mum would drop me off in the morning and wouldn’t come back until the sun had set.”

Sophie then went on to attend the prestigious New England Girls School in Armidale, in which her riding skills developed as she rode all kinds of thoroughbreds within the school term. It was around this time Sophie acquired another OTTB ‘Frankie’ as she realised that show jumping just wasn’t the discipline for her. “Up until I was 14, I was a keen showjumper but one day I rode a horse that was more trained for dressage, and I instantly feel in love with it. Dressage is a lot more complicated than it seems as you really have to practice, with it being more of a test”.

With Sophie finding her niche in dressage, she went on to progress to advanced dressage lessons with her recent addition of a warmblood ‘Dino’, honing her dressage skills at clinics led by Olympic legend Heath Ryan. Sophie has recently undertaken a new challenge of training a young 5yo warmblood ‘Bella’ to be a future ribbon – winning dressage horse.  

It was towards the end of 2018 where Sophie became highly interested in pursuing a career in the racing industry. This career choice started when she was offered a job as a stable hand for a small trainer in Orange who only had 6 horses to manage, with this smaller environment allowing her to learn the ropes of working with racehorses and travel around rural NSW. Unfortunately, due to the small number of horses, Sophie was forced out of her job 2 years later and relocated to the Hawkesbury region, leaving her to print off flyers and send off ads in seek of employment. A bite came back from Mark Newnham himself, who met her at a Hawkesbury race meeting days later to offer her the position of a stable hand. “I always wanted to go somewhere where the trainers are hands on and can learn from them personally, which Mark is like. He always takes the time to check in with his staff and spends time training you.” With her love of her job allowing her to push past the stark early morning wake ups, Sophie quickly progressed to becoming a Junior Foreman for Mark Newnham, taking up the initiative of travelling with his racehorses to places such as Melbourne and Queensland for race meetings. “I feel so honoured knowing that Mark trusts me enough that he can rely on me to travel with his horses to different race meetings. It’s a big step in my career”.

Her career has also allowed her to be a part of the journey of successful races horses such as tacking up Seven Veils which went on to win a Group 2 race and qualified for the $5 million Golden Slipper. “I feel like a such a proud mum when any horse wins a race, even a maiden start at Hawkesbury. You see them when they arrive as little yearlings to winning racehorses, it’s like they become your children”.

Between balancing her dressage training and her full-time job as a Junior Foreman, Sophie is also completing her Cert III in Stable Hand with Team Thoroughbred’s Training Academy. “I think it is worth it for someone who is just coming into the racing industry as it allows you to brush up on your skills and learn the things you need to know before you progress further into your career”.

With this qualification behind her, Sophie aims to eventually become a foreman. It’s her long-term ambition to be a trainer herself with the goal being a small stable of a few racehorses. Career aspirations aside, Sophie also has a promising dressage future with the potential of competing ‘Bella’ soon to become a dressage champion. “Working in the racing industry has given me much more confidence to have a younger horse and bring them through as you witness their progression