Thumbs up! Lacey's second win in the Cairns Amateur Cup. Her first was on Legal Brief in 2006 - courtesy Peter Roy Photography.
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Lacey Morrison but I’ve been long aware of her notable achievements. This resilient 40 year old has had a diversified career in the racing industry as a jockey, a trainer and a two year stint as a member of the Darling Downs steward’s panel. Lacey’s comeback from injury in 2021 has far exceeded her expectations. In the recently concluded 2023/2024 season she rode 101 winners to finish fourth on the Queensland jockey’s premiership ladder. She also happens to be the doting mother of nine year old Buddy. Lacey Morrison says she’s happiest when busy.
The jockey talks about her good start to the new season and a recent Cluden Park treble.
Lacey says she was elated to top the century of winners last season.
She looks back on a quartet of wins at Townsville late in the season and her all time top score of five at a Cairns meeting.
The Cairns Amateur Cup is actually a prestigious professional event run in September. Lacey talks about her recent win on Cashin’ Chex.
The busy jockey talks about life in Tolga on the tablelands south west of Cairns.
She takes us through the racing circuit she supports week to week. Lacey says it takes the offer of a very good ride to get her as far away as Mackay.
The talented jockey looks back at childhood days at Taroom and Springsure when riding horses was a way of life.
She talks of an original apprenticeship to her father John followed by her transfer to Toowoomba trainer Russell Kirwin.
Lacey recalls her uneventful debut at Springsure and that thrilling first win at Bundaberg for the Gollan stable.
She says Proudly Agro was the first nice horse she got to ride. She won a metro Gr 3 on the horse.
The true blue Queenslander looks back on a very successful apprenticeship with special mention of a mare called Charlotte Sound who provided her 60th metropolitan win and the end of her claiming days.
In 2003 a burgeoning reputation saw Lacey invited to spend three months with Sydney trainer Clarry Conners. Despite a battle with homesickness she won a handful of races including one memorable Randwick victory on Sadarar for trainer Paul Cave.
Lacey was pretty chuffed when offered a ride in the Ramornie Hcp at Grafton in 2006. She was even more chuffed when For Valour stormed home to win the historic sprint.
She pays tribute to Legal Brief who gave her a prestigious Cups double in Queensland.
Lacey remembers the horrific four horse fall at Ipswich which sidelined her for ten months. This was the time she decided to try her hand as a steward.
She talks of her successful comeback and the disappointment of a second Ipswich fall in 2013.
Lacey got over that one fairly quickly but wasn’t keen to return to race riding. She decided to accept an offer to take over the stables of Toowoomba trainer John Dann. She enjoyed her time as a professional trainer.
She talks of son Buddy’s premature arrival in 2015.
Lacey was working for a local produce store when asked to ride some trackwork by Tolga trainer and good friend Sharlee Hoffman. Predictably the bug bit again.
When she decided to don the silks again in 2021 stewards demanded a rigorous barrier trial schedule.
Lacey’s versatility knows no bounds. She’s currently juggling her many race riding commitments with an online Tafe nursing course. This will be her long term future.
She says when it comes to her eventual retirement from race riding, partner Taron leaves it entirely up to her.
Great to catch up at last with a multi talented Queensland racing achiever.
(Banner image - A dashing win on Cashin' Chex in the Cairns Amateur Cup - courtesy Peter Roy Photography.)
Lacey wins the $100,000 Cleveland Bay at Cluden Park on Northern Pride 03/08/2024 - courtesy Trackside Photography.
An easy win on one of her favourites Speed Legend at Townsville 23/06/2024 - courtesy Trackside Photography.
Lacey's happy for young fan Ethan to give Speed Legend a pat after the Townsville win - courtesy Trackside Photography.
With Galaxy Ghost before her return to the saddle in 2021. Rider is the one and only Buddy!
A winning smile! - courtesy Peter Roy Photography.
Lacey at a Cairns meeting at the commencement of her 2021 comeback - courtesy Peter Roy Photography.
Lacey's partner Taron leads her back to scale on Sylvester at Atherton 17/12/2022.