Jockey Robbie Dolan was flying on Knights’ Choice to claim the 2024 race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup.
The Yass Picnic Race Club is thrilled to announce that dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer and racing royalty, Sheila Laxon, will be attending the Yass Picnic Races on Saturday March 1.
Don’t miss the chance to get an online ticket Tickets: https://www.yasspicnicraces.com.au/events
Or get your ticket on the day at the gate.
Laxon will be on hand with her winning trophy and has told the committee she will be happy to have photos taken with the crowd, with the cup, and talk to racegoers about her career.
It’s not often a trainer of Laxons’ character and credentials frequents regional NSW and a country race meeting, and it will be a great day out for families to snap a photo with the champion horsewoman.
It is a huge boon for the race meeting and the hardworking committee who will welcome the trainer of Knights’ Choice, last years’ Melbourne Cup winner, to the Valley.
Sheila has spread her two wins across 23 years, with the first groundbreaking win in 2001 and her second win in 2024.
Her affiliation with racing began much earlier as a child in Wales where she grew up on the family farm.
Her first taste of being on a horse and moving from a trot to a canter and then a gallop was via pony club, gymkhanas and then show jumping.
Sheila emigrated to New Zealand in 1980 before marrying trainer Laurie Laxon in 1983.
He had a large stable and it wasn’t long before Sheila was riding her first Melbourne Cup winner in track work, which led to Empire Rose taking out the title in 1988.
Empire Rose was Sired by Super sire, Sir Tristam, out of Summer Fleur. The Sir Tristam bloodlines went on to bring Sheila more success, when she won her first cup with Ethereal, whose Damsire was Sir Tristam out of Romanee Conti.
Showing that good things come to those who wait and those that are persistent as well as courageous, Sheila is one of a kind in the sport when it comes to statistics and groundbreaking feats. She is right out in front from the rest of the field. The only female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup and has done so twice in its history, since it began in 1861.
Sheila when she won the cup in 2001 and again in 2024.
Only 14 mares have won the cup during that time, one of those, Sheila’s, her other winner was last year’s gelding.
Knights’ Choice wasn’t expected to feature in the finish in 2024 and at $81, anyone who backed him was going to clean up with the bookies.
Sheila teamed up with well known jockey and The Voice vocalist Robbie Dolan, for last years’ win and fate would have it that Dolan first met Sheila on a cruise ship when he was performing as a singer as part of the entertainment group.
Dolan didn’t get on a horse until he was 16 but plucked up the courage to ask for a photo with Sheila which marked the start of their friendship and no doubt helped Dolan secure the ride.
Some might see Sheila’s success as lucky but her story is one of resilience, bravery and toughness which saw her through a career riddled with injuries.
Her ability to bounce back continues to be vindicated by her success as a trainer.
In 1991 she suffered head injuries and a broken leg when she fell during a race in Gisborne. She was unconscious for weeks and it took years for her to recuperate.
Just over 10 years later and after her first cup win, she was tossed from another horse at her home and fractured a hip, broke six ribs and damaged her lung and kidney. Doctors said she wouldn’t ride again but 14 months later was given the all clear after four operations.
After moving her operations to Seymour, an hour north of Melbourne, Sheila cracked a pelvis and broke her collarbone in 2005.
She was hospitalised for more than a week.
Sheila’s husband and partner in training John Symons has had to overcome his own health challenges over recent years.
Jockey of Knight’s Choice Robbie Dolan with trainer John Symons.
In 2019 he followed friends’ advice to see a Doctor after he suffered crippling back pain. A tumour was found on his lung and he was advised he had three months to live, before fighting the cancer and winning after he was told it was inoperable.
As they say the rest is history.
President of the Yass Picnic Race Club, Hugh Rainger was was ecstatic to tell the Yass Valley Times the great news.
With the Picnics going from strength to strength and in their 124th year, the addition of the cup and Sheila is unprecedented, and it will make for an even bigger 125th anniversary next year, if that is possible.
The hard working committee is making sure the day will be very special with an enormous amount of work and preparation for each years’ event.
“The Melbourne Cup is coming with the trainer to Yass Picnics. We’ll have it on display, and she won it the year just gone with the Knights’ Choice. We’ll have it on display there for the day and there is a security guard. People can have their photo taken with it.”
“It’s a great thing for Yass, and for the local district to have something with such notoriety, it’s the race that stops the nation and being at Yass at our little race day. It’s for the whole community to come and see, people would rarely get the chance to come and see the Melbourne Cup up close in person, so that’s a wonderful opportunity.”
“It will be a great draw card for racing as well, to say that the biggest race in the nation with the winning trainer and the cup will be there on the day.”
Make sure you don’t miss the Yass Picnic Races. Bring your friend, bring your boyfriend or your girlfriend. Bring your parents and bring your family. Meet Sheila and mingle with an icon of the sport alongside a six race card at the beautiful Marchmont Racecourse.
Fashions on the Field – Led by Alison Jones
Fashions on the Field at the Yass Picnic Races is organised by our Vice President, Alison Jones, a highly successful Fashions on the Field competitor with extensive experience at race meets both locally and internationally. Alison has been attending country race meets for quite a few years. She first attended the Yass Picnic Races in 2008, where she entered Fashions on the Field for the first time.
Alison loves seeing everyone’s outfits on race day, as she believes it’s a wonderful showcase of individuality and style. One of her favourite memories is winning at Thoroughbred Park on Melbourne Cup Day, which earned her a trip overseas and the opportunity to compete at the prestigious Prix De Diane Longines in France.
Alison would love to see as many people as possible enter the Fashions on the Field competition at the upcoming Yass Picnic Races, and she looks forward to celebrating the unique style and flair of all the participants.
Essential Details
Who: Yass Picnic Races
What: Melbourne Cup winning trainer Sheila Laxon and The Melbourne Cup.
Where: Marchmont Racecourse Yass
When: Gates Open 11:30am, Saturday March 1.
Why: Great day out for all.
Tickets: https://www.yasspicnicraces.com.au/events
Marquee Sites, Marquee Hire and equipment bookings: https://www.yasspicnicraces.com.au/marquee-and-sites
Marquee Sites and Hire Options
We offer a variety of options to make your day at the Yass Picnic Races as enjoyable as possible. You can choose from the following:
Marquee Site Only: Bring your own tent and set up in a designated marquee site.
Marquee Site with Marquee Hire: Have your space ready for you! We provide the marquee, and you can also add tables and chairs to make your setup complete. All you need to do is bring your food and drinks, and enjoy the day.
Tables and Chairs Hire: Need extra seating? You can also hire tables and chairs to ensure your group has everything they need for a comfortable and enjoyable day.
Whether you bring your own marquee or hire one of ours, we have everything to make your race day a great experience. Book your space or marquee hire now!
https://www.yasspicnicraces.com.au/marquee-and-sites
History
The Yass Picnic Race Club’s annual race meeting is one of the most anticipated events in the region, and we’re excited to welcome you to the 124th Yass Picnic Races on Saturday, 1st March 2025 at the historic Marchmont Racecourse. With a rich history dating back to 1901, the Yass Picnic Races have been a proud tradition in NSW, offering a unique blend of thrilling horse races, Fashions on the Field competitions, and family-friendly activities.
The event continues to grow in size and excitement each year, thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors and the dedication of our all-volunteer committee. Last year’s race day was a resounding success, featuring an impeccable course, a vibrant crowd, and some of the best feedback we’ve received in years. This year, we expect even larger numbers and greater enthusiasm.
Our six-race meet attracts horses from all corners of NSW, offering a true bush racing atmosphere that keeps attendees entertained throughout the day. The race day is further enhanced by a variety of events, including kids’ activities, gourmet food, and free shuttle buses to and from town.
