3 minute read

Briar Weatherley entered a training partnership with her father Darryn on Monday and just two days later she celebrated her first win.

The victory came courtesy of Breckon Power  in the Waipa Earthworks 1300 at Cambridge, with Weatherley's brother Sam doing the riding.

Weatherley was over the moon with the result, particularly given it was such a family affair.

"It was awesome, I am really rapt," she said.

"We had two nice chances today and I was hoping they would both run well.

"It was awesome to have Sam ride my first winner. It is what you dream of - being in partnership with Dad and having Sam ride her (Breckon Power), it was a pretty special moment for me, and something I will remember forever."

The 21-year-old horsewoman has long held a passion for racing and set her sights on a career in the industry when following her jockey turned trainer father around the stables as a child.

"I have always been keen on horses, right from when I was a young kid," Weatherley said.

"Dad being a jockey and now a trainer, I have grown up around horses and I caught the bug for racing. I left school when I was 16 because all I wanted to do was train horses."

Weatherley began working for her father upon leaving school and after doing her time under the seasoned horseman, she was excited to take him up on his offer of joining him in a training partnership.

"I am very thankful to Dad to allow me to join him in a training partnership this season, I am really looking forward to it," she said.

While they have lost the services of their Group One performer Mali Ston this season, Weatherley is hoping they can continue the season the way they started it.

"It is really gutting about Mali Ston, he is a very good horse and it is a shame that he is out for the season," she said.

"But I have got a couple of other horses in the stable that I am really looking forward to, like Maria Farina and Ess Vee Are.

"We have got a nice up-and-comer called Pier, so I am also looking forward to him."