Sally Taylor has only twelve horses in work at Coffs Harbour, but managed to win four races during the month of August. Egotistic (Jon Grisedale) got the ball rolling on August 15th with a Ballina maiden win. One week later Sally won two races at the Grafton meeting - a BM58 with Listen To Maurice (Adin Thompson) and a Cl 1 event with Zanardee’s Lane (Adin Thompson). Another stable runner Camerlengo was a fast closing second in a BM58. The latter did so well in the stable after the race, that Sally made the call to back him up in the Bingara Cup four days later. Her judgement was vindicated when Camerlengo (Zad Wadick) comfortably won the Cup to round off his trainer’s August quartet.
You can hear the sparkle in Sally’s voice when she talks of Zanardee’s Lane whose record stands at two wins and three placings from just seven starts so far. “He’s pretty promising and looks to have more wins in store,” she said. “He’s owned by Steve Flynn who bred him from a $400 mare. Steve actually helps out in the stable most mornings and not surprisingly Zanardee’s Lane gets a bit of extra attention.”
Sally brings up a double with Zanardee's Lane (Adin Thompson) at Grafton 22/08/2023 - courtesy Trackside Photography.
Thirty year old Sally Taylor spent most of her childhood at nearby Corindi Beach where she joined local pony club at a very early age, later transitioning to the show ring. She learned the basics of thoroughbred management from father Brian who enjoyed modest success as an owner/ trainer as his daughter was growing up. Her fondness for thoroughbreds eventually led her to a trackwork role at Coffs Harbour where she quickly earned the respect of local trainers. She gained valuable experience from trainers like Jim Jarvis and Brett Bellamy, and later spent some time in Victoria under the tutelage of the high profile Sheila Laxon/John Symons training duo. It was Coffs Harbour racehorse owner Peter Woods who encouraged young Sally to take out her own trainer’s licence.
In just seven years of training Sally Taylor has made her mark in northern rivers racing. Three months after gaining her licence she won the Grafton Cup with Rednav - no credit
Within three months of going solo the 23 year old prepared Rednav to win the 2016 black type Grafton Cup with Peter Graham in the saddle. Any doubts she may have harboured about a training future were quickly dispelled. Sally Taylor’s feed room will soon be the destination for twelve complimentary bags of Pryde’s EasiPerformance as Country Trainer Of The Month for August.
Sally with jockey Peter Graham after Rednav's Grafton Cup win.
(Banner image - The first leg of Sally's Grafton double - Listen To Maurice (Adin Thompson) wins a BM58 - courtesy Trackside Photography.)
