Hadid a fitting first winner for Brown

[Wandering Eyes]

Northern apprentice jockey Sienna Brown earned a fitting first victory in the saddle aboard Hadid (NZ) (Charm Spirit) at Tauranga on Saturday.

The 19-year-old had ridden the daughter of Charm Spirit on four previous occasions, including at the trials in the early stages of becoming an apprentice. Prepared by Hanna Orting, Hadid is owned by Brown’s parents Tony and Nikki, who were on course to witness a very special moment in the Larissa Reid Bayleys Whakatane Commercial (1600m).

Having observed the pattern of the day, Brown took initiative from the jump, utilising her lightweight to press forward and put the pressure on her rivals. At the 800m, she extended the margin and had an eight-length buffer on Monday Melody, and turning for home, she had the winning break, holding off the late closing favourite to score by 2 – ¼ lengths.

Brown was delighted with the result, particularly on a horse that means so much to her family.

“They had all been coming off the front and on the rail, so from that gate on this track, everything was really set out for her,” she said.

“It is really special, especially because this horse has been with me since the start. She was my first trial winner and I helped name her as well.”

Coming from an equestrian background, making a career out of the horse industry appealed to Brown and racing was the obvious choice, with her parents also breeding a number of quality horses, including recent $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) contender Hankee Alpha (NZ) (Proisir).

“I did a bit of show jumping and dressage, and I thought it would be cool to be able to make money out of riding,” Brown said. “Racing came naturally with Mum and Dad and I’m really enjoying it.

“I’m apprenticed to Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, Maryanne and George Simon recommended them to us and I went and gave it a go, and they’ve been very good to me. My riding has really improved since I’ve been with them.

“I’ve had so many opinions from other jockeys and they’ve been really helpful in helping me improve, giving me tips and things like that.

“I’m going to try to travel around as much as I can and get as many rides as I can.”

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