Frys inspiring each other in the saddle

By Jordan Gerrans

Ivo and Sasha Fry are at different ends of the riding spectrum but they can agree on one thing.

The 47-year-old Ivo is in the midst of a race riding comeback in North Queensland after a decade or so spent working in the mines away from the saddle. 

On the other hand, his teenage daughter Sasha is busy working on her skills riding trackwork most mornings as she aims to become an apprentice rider once she has completed her high school studies. 

In his riding comeback, Ivo says that he is inspired by his daughters passion to follow in his footsteps as a hoop.

In her pursuit of a career in the saddle, young Sasha says it is her father who inspires her in the way he has built his fitness base in his return as well as the string of winners he has collected so far in 2025. 

The father-and-daughter Frys are working together to achieve their own goals as a team. 

“I couldn’t be any prouder, honestly,” Ivo said.

“It is one of the best things I have ever done in my life.

“Being able to share something with your daughter that means a lot to yourself, it is really inspiring. I am so proud of her.”

Ivo has only really ridden in races for around 18 months in total across the last 15 or so years.

He returned to the saddle in the last month of 2024 and has competed throughout the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

There was never doubting Ivo’s ability, having won black-type events as a youngster as well as competing in Group 2 races and riding at most city tracks in Australia.

When Sasha came along, Ivo decided to step back from race riding to begin working in the mining industry to ensure his family had a greater earning capacity.

He has ridden seven winners since he has been back. 

“I am absolutely loving it at the moment,” the veteran hoop said.

“I have got a lot of local support as there was quite a lot of local people who were quite surprised when I announced that I was going to make a comeback.

“I am getting fairly long in the tooth now so there is always going to be questions about my fitness or injuries I had in the past.

“There is also the question about if I had the will to compete at a professional level again.

“But, I was always convinced in myself and own abilities that I would be able to do it.

“It has been tough but I have worked hard at it with a lot of support from my family so I am super happy with where I am right now.”

Once Ivo returned to trackwork in his bid towards a race riding comeback, he had his daughter in tow.

Sasha still has a couple of years left of her secondary studies with her father keen for her to finish high school before she gets serious about her riding. 

When she does get there, she is going to be ready. 

During Townsville Cup week, she was punching out half-a-dozen horses in trackwork every morning around Cluden Park. 

The fledgling rider is also being mentored by Racing Queensland industry educator Carl Spry who has enjoyed a lengthy career in the saddle across Australia. 

“I have had lots of people teaching me with tips and techniques,” Sasha said.

“I feel like I have learnt quite a lot and I still have a lot more to learn.

“As I learn more and get my strength up, I will begin to ride more in the morning and ride like my dad, who will ride double digit numbers of a morning.”

Sasha says she looks up to high-level riders such as James McDonald, Jamie Melham as well as Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne and her father.

The first Tuesday in November was where Sasha’s dreams of a career in the saddle were born. 

“That was when I decided my dream was to become a jockey, just like my dad, back when I was in primary school,” she said.

“I have always watched the Melbourne Cup since I was in grade four and it has inspired me to become a jockey and hopefully compete in the Melbourne Cup one day.”

Ivo is in constant contact with trainers Sasha is riding for in North Queensland to keep an eye on her development as well as going through his riding replays with her.

“She has come along in leaps and bounds,” he said.

“She has been taken under the wings of the racing industry with open arms.

“She has learnt a lot and listens really well - so far, so good - and she is really doing well. Carl is doing a great job with her and we are there for her every step of the way.”

Sasha has also regularly been strapping her father’s horses on raceday, as well.

As a young hoop, Ivo claimed the Listed Queen’s Plate at Ascot aboard Krystal Storm in 1999.

He had his maiden race ride back in 1996 in Perth.

He also helped launch the Brisbane career of Steven O’Dea as he moved south alongside the trainer from Townsville in the early days.

Ivo has won city races in Brisbane, Perth and Tasmania and has almost 300 victories on his resume according to Racing And Sports’ statistics.

Ivo heads to Bowen this Saturday for a big book of rides for their local Ben Bolt Cup program.

He has been booked to partner Mission House for Cluden trainer Matthew McGuire. 

Following Saturday’s Townsville Cup, the carnival heads north for the three-day Cairns Super Carnival, which makes its debut in Far North Queensland.

It begins with the Cairns Amateur Cup and Lightning Handicap on Saturday August 16, continues with the $100,000 Cairns Newmarket on Friday August 22, and concludes on Saturday August 23 with the $150,000 Cairns Cup and Magic Millions Daintree Guineas at Cannon Park.