Cover image courtesy of Thoroughbred Industry Careers
In today's instalment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with Tracy O’Hara who is the Explorer Cadetship Program Manager at Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC).
TDN AusNZ: What is your background with horses and particularly the thoroughbred?
Tracy O’Hara: I grew up eventing in Western NSW, at 13 my mum thought both Kathy and I were going too fast, so we ended up riding trackwork to learn out gallop times, then that lead to a jockey apprenticeship when I was about 17-years old.
TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in racing?
TOH: Trackwork rider with Danny Williams in Goulburn and then an apprenticeship in Dubbo, NSW.
TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become the Explorer Cadetship Program Manager at TIC?
TOH: Whilst I was a jockey I also completed a university degree in primary teaching, then following my jockey career I studied to become a tertiary educator in the racing industry, initially working for Racing NSW and TAFE as a workplace trainer and assessor for trackriders and jockeys, following that I started working for Lindy Maurice in 2019 on the Explorer Cadetship Program.
Tracy O'Hara winning on Ten Of Hearts at Canterbury Park in 2007 | Image courtesy of Sporptix
TDN AusNZ: Can you describe a normal day working at TIC?
TOH: I start at 4am and ride trackwork at Hawkesbury, then I go to Richmond TAFE where the Cadets are in training. In addition to managing the program, I also teach the Cadets how to ride trackwork.
TDN AusNZ: What is a part of your job people wouldn’t expect?
TOH: The fulfilment you get out of training people; we get to see their progression from when they start out to where they end up.
TDN AusNZ: Can you explain your involvement in pony racing?
TOH: I help Lindy assess the riders for safety and work on the raceday logistics, as there is quite a lot that goes on behind the scenes with bio security and COVID restrictions.
Pony racing at Moonee Valley | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to work in the racing and breeding industry?
TOH: Ask questions and work harder than everyone else.
TDN AusNZ: What are you passionate about within the industry?
TOH: Helping people achieve their goals.
TDN AusNZ: What is your favourite racing memory?
TOH: When I dead-heated to my sister Kathy at a race in Gosford.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be one person in the industry for a day, who would that be and why?
TOH: Michelle Payne winning the Melbourne Cup!
