Emma Simsir working overtime for riding dreams

By Jordan Gerrans

At one stage of her life, Sunshine Coast youngster Emma Simsir was so determined to work with horses she juggled four different jobs so she could pursue her equine dreams.

While becoming a jockey wasn’t always her ‘end game’, she loved being around thoroughbreds and riding, as well as educating others to do the same.

All her hard work over the years eventually led her to Corbould Park on the Sunshine Coast towards a path as an apprentice hoop.

Simsir heads to Bundaberg on Saturday afternoon for her maiden rides as a jockey.

The 21-year-old has been indentured to experienced Caloundra horseman Garnett Taylor in recent months after previously working for fellow Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley.

“She's a really good kid,” Taylor said.

“She's got plenty of ability and good work ethic, which is really good. She's got a lot of talent. If she gets on the right horses, she'll definitely do all right. 

“She's a very fit kid. She runs and she works hard here at the stables.

“She's got a lot of ability. She'll definitely be a real asset to the industry.”

In her first day at the races, Simsir has picked up four rides ahead of Saturday.

She will partner with Boom Boom Bella for Lyn Petersen in the opening event at Bundaberg Race Club on Saturday before being legged aboard Might Is Right by trainer Leigh Wanless and Mimmy's Secret for conditioner Kevin Miller.

To round out her four, she has Dashing Hope for Gympie mentor Trevor Thomas in the last on the program. 

Simsir believes Mimmy's Secret – who won twice in December of last year – is the best of her chances to nab a debut winner.

Simsir hails from the Glass House Mountains area of the Sunshine Coast and while her family were not involved in racing or had a big interest in horses growing up, she always had her eyes set on a future around thoroughbreds.

“I did showjumping and my parents could never afford a horse, so I went to a riding school where I lived,” she recalls.

“I just kept going, then eventually started going after school and helping the people with the riding school and breaking in trainings and everything.

“They would give me a horse to compete on for my work.

“I just did that after school every day and once I finished school, I started teaching kids to ride and then just got into racing.

“I was working four different jobs at one stage - teaching kids to ride, working at a school camp place that had horses as part of the activity as well as also working on the track in the morning.”

The keen youngster first got of taste of racing working on the ground at the Stuart Kendrick barn at Caloundra during her high school days before eventually linking up and starting her apprenticeship with Birchley.

She completed the bulk of her required trials under Birchley’s guidance before switching over to Taylor’s yard in recent months.

“She's got a very good style. I've got Larry Cassidy helping her a fair bit and he's got her on the horse a few times,” Taylor said.

“She's got a good seat, good flat sort of back and her hands are good.

“She's right where she should be for having her first rides in a race.

“Naturally, she's going to improve, but it won't be long when she'll be riding at bigger meetings.

“She is a very dedicated kid to get where she is today.”

Simsir has her riding weight listed as 53kg ahead of her maiden day at the races.

As she is on the taller side for a jockey, Simsir initially felt that she would be too heavy to become an apprentice but after knuckling down on her weight and diet, she is comfortable that it is at a manageable level.

“I did think I'm too tall, but I got my weight down,” she recalled.

“Eventually, it was like, I think I can do this. And, now, I just love it.”

Simsir will be supported by her family as they make the drive north to Bundaberg on Saturday for her first day at the races.