Brennan’s Queensland homecoming with Betoota Cup glory

By Jordan Gerrans

Apprentice hoop Angel Brennan celebrated a happy homecoming to the Sunshine State on Saturday afternoon when she lifted the Betoota Cup on Charleville galloper Deciduous.

Brennan calls Tamworth in New South Wales home these days, but hails from the Beaudesert region and cut her teeth in the game riding for local trainers such as Greg Cornish and Gillian Heinrich.

The young horsewoman began her riding journey at the start of 2026, with Saturday’s Betoota Cup her 10th win in the saddle since debuting.

She is not resting on her laurels either and will be back to Queensland later this week in a bid for coveted Birdsville glory, as well.

“It was absolutely sensational,” she said.

“I have ridden in Queensland previously and gone to Goondiwindi.

“I only rode a couple there for no luck, but this is my second trip to Queensland and to get a winner was pretty good.

“I didn't really start riding until I was about 12, but I am a born-and-bred Queenslander, so it was good to be back.”

The 23-year-old attended Beaudesert State High School and grew up at Jimboomba.

The lightweight hoop took five mounts across the Betoota program on Saturday and had to wait until the lucky last event to taste victory.

She did so in the feature Cup, with Charleville conditioner Leslie Baker presenting Deciduous for the $18,000 event in top fashion.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” she said.

“Leslie Baker was a massive support for me. That was the first time I had met him.

“Even just getting there, he rang me the whole way when I was driving from Tamworth and provided me with some accommodation. They drove me from Windorah to Betoota.

“They made my trip just so much easier. And, to ride a winner for them, it was absolutely exceptional.”

The six-year-old gelding had run well in recent efforts at Cunnamulla and Charleville before the Betoota assignment.

Brennan, who claims three kilograms, jumped from the widest barrier on offer in the Betoota Cup, but did enough to score aboard Deciduous by almost a length from stablemate Turnstar.

“We did get caught rather wide,” the jockey said.

“I didn't want to be that wide, but it is what it is, unfortunately.

“But, we made the best with what we had and just kept him on pace and kept him happy.

“He rode really well and finished off in top gear.”

Brennan only decided to make the trip from Tamworth to regional Queensland for the first leg of the popular Simpson Desert Racing Carnival on Wednesday afternoon.

She is indentured to Tamworth mentor Craig Martin.

“It is pretty good where I am; it's a good spot,” she said.

“It's pretty central to a lot of things and it is tough trying to get rides, but you've just got to keep on kicking, I suppose.”

Brennan took mounts for conditioners Baker, John Ferguson and Kevin Sims at Betoota on Saturday and she has been booked to ride for the stables at Birdsville this week, which kicks off on Friday, before the big Cup meeting on Saturday.