Lucy Yeomans - Ciaron Maher racing
TDN AusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?
LY: I am from the Victorian south east suburbs, which happens to be lovely horse country! My earliest racing memory is summer days spent at the Stony Creek races with my sister and father.
Lucy Yeomans and Ciaron Maher
TDN AusNZ: What is your favourite day on the racecourse?
LY: My favourite day on the racecourse would have to be Cox Plate Day. The atmosphere is always electric.
TDN AusNZ: What was the biggest highlight of your season?
LY: The biggest highlight of my season is a personal one, being able to ride again. I broke my leg over 18 months ago in a freak trackwork accident. After a couple of surgeries and many months of rehab I was finally able to ride. Even though it was only a walk and trot on the lead pony, I was ecstatic.
TDN AusNZ: What was the biggest highlight of your career?
LY: I’m lucky enough to have two major highlights of my career so far. One was being Jameka’s strapper and trackrider. It was such a thrill and so rewarding. Number two is recently being promoted to Ciaron and Dave’s assistant trainer. I’m still pinching myself!
Lucy riding trackwork
TDN AusNZ: What do you love most about your job?
LY: The horses are what I love most about my job. I’m just a horse girl at heart, they are such amazing creatures and I’m so lucky to be able to interact with them daily.
TDN AusNZ: Do you have a favourite horse in work right now? Why?
LY: You can’t ask me to pick a favourite horse, that’s like asking a mother to pick a her favourite child! I can give you a few that are in work at Caulfield at the moment that I really like. They are Bons Away, Teebo, Big Blue, Aeecee Millions and Bonvicini.
Bons Away is one of Lucy's favourite horses in the stable
TDN AusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why?
LY: My absolute favourite horse of all time is the incredible Jameka. I was lucky enough to ride and care for her daily throughout her career. I’ll never sit on another horse that could send chills up my spine like she did, she just felt like a good horse. She was so strong willed, she just loved to win. She took me on such an amazing journey, one that I’ll always be thankful for.
TDN AusNZ: Do you have any superstitions or race day rituals?
LY: I’m quite superstitious. When Jameka was racing I had a lucky raceday bridle that I always made sure she wore. I would also go and stand by myself in a certain quiet corner of the mounting yard to watch her race.
TDN AusNZ: What’s the most used saying/word around the stables?
LY: The most used saying would have to be ‘How was he/she?’
Lucy and Jameka
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star in the racing industry?
LY: A future rising star of the racing industry is Matty Cartwright. He’s been coming in a couple of days a week and riding trackwork for us. He’s a great little rider and just a good kid. Definitely an apprentice to keep your eye on.
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
LY: I would love to see the industry do more for the guys. The trackriders and stable staff work so hard and often aren’t recognised for it. Strappers prizes and even something as simple as a free lunch at all race meets would be positive changes. I’m lucky enough to work in a stable that really appreciates its staff.
TDN AusNZ: If you weren’t in the racing industry what would you be doing?
LY: If I weren’t in the racing industry I would be a professional event rider. I evented at an international level before I decided that racing is where my passion lies.
