Gayna was going to be a trainer from the day her father gave her an ex racehorse to retrain for the show ring.
Great to catch up with a doyen of western districts racing! Gayna recalls the thrill of her first training win with Scarlet Vixen at Orange in 1985. She paid $1400 for the filly at an Inglis sale.
She talks of her marriage to Frank Williams and a sudden move to Grafton in 2010. She may still be there had Frank not been offered a job at Gulgong.
Gayna talks about seven successful years of training at Mudgee, and a return to Bathurst as recently as 2020.
The talented horsewoman rode trackwork for thirty years but knee problems now keep her on the ground.
Gayna says she was relatively injury free during her many years on the training tracks.
She acknowledges the special horses who’ve helped to keep her at or near the top of the trainer’s ladder for many years.
Gayna makes special mention of recent winners like From The Bush, Zoo Station and Tags who are chasing more wins.
The trainer expounds on the benefits the TAB Highways have brought to country owners and trainers.
Gayna pays tribute to her elderly parents, now in retirement at Port Macquarie.
She’s reluctant to name favourites when it comes to the jockeys who’ve helped her along the way. She had to be coaxed. It’s a laid back chat with an outstanding horse trainer.
(Banner image - From The Bush (Grant Buckley) wins a TAB Highway at Randwick 10/07/2021 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
Another TAB Highway for Gayna! Zoo Station (Regan Bayliss) wins at Rosehill 26/06/2021 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Gayna with one of her regular riders Kath Bell Pitomac - courtesy Janian McMillan Racing Photograhy.
Another of Gayna’s favourite jockeys was Greg Ryan seen here winning on I Am A Cool Kid at Muswellbrook 22/04/2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Gayna has a good grip on one end of the winners sash after Redirect’s win at Scone 2019 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.