In my blood: Family bonds key to Ashcroft achievement

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Harness

Third generation Collie trainer Bianca Ashcroft has a great record with fillies and mares in the last few seasons.

Her top four earners are mares. The list is headed by the iron-tough seven-year-old Triple Brie, who took her earnings past $100,000 when she ran fourth at Gloucester Park on October 14.

Next on the list is the ultra-consistent Fleur Du Maquis ($88k), three-year-old filly Pocketful Of Opals ($55k) and Tella ($38k).

The three top earners were all bred and raised by the Ashcroft family.

Ashcroft, 35, has been training for 11 years but had a breakout season in 2022 with 11 winners (at 13 per cent strike rate) and $95,000 in stakes.

She has notched up nine winners already this season (at 12 per cent) and $70,000 in earnings.

Triple Brie and Fleur Du Maquis have both won at Gloucester Park in recent months.

She said she enjoyed working with mares but did not train them any differently.

“We mostly breed our own horses and I have just ended up with more fillies than colts,” Ashcroft said.

“I do enjoy training mares more the colts or geldings due to them having more entertaining personalities.”

Ashcroft, who has two runners at Wagin on Friday night, was practically born in a sulky.

“It’s in my blood to be involved with harness racing,” she said.

“It started with my grandfather George, whom I had a lot of respect for.

“He taught my dad Errol a lot and dad has passed on his knowledge to me.

“Dad and I have friendly rivalry. I like to stir him up when I beat him but it’s all done in good fun.

“We’re more like a team and both help each other out but I still like to beat him.”

It is hard to mention the Ashcroft name without thinking of the amazing old warhorse Shattering Class, who won 62 races and $800,000 in the 1990s for George Ashcroft.

“As a teenager, I used to love listening to Shattering Class race,” she said.

“He really was a marvel to watch.

“Shattering Class will always have a special spot with me and the family, considering he is the grand sire of three of my five horses in work – Triple Brie, Fleur Du Maquis and My Grand Angus.”

Ashcroft works fulltime as a machinist in the canvas industry, making patio blinds, shade sails and canvas canopies.

“I work my horses before work and my dad helps me out with the jog work and taking them to the race meetings I can’t get to,” she said.

“Fleur Du Maquis will run her usual honest race on Friday night.

“The distance will certainly suit her. A 50m handicap is always hard to overcome.

”Pocketful Of Opals should go okay. The draw’s a bit awkward and it will depend on what happens at the start.”

Rick Lee

Photograph: Bianca Ashcroft with recent Gloucester Park winner Fleur Du Maquis. Pic credit – Jessica Ashcroft