Our Industry – Jane Steer
Jane Steer with Kody, Liam and Tori.
“My biggest influence in the sport would have to be the love of the horse They try so hard and are willing to please if they can.”
With a lifetime of involvement, you would be hard pressed to find anyone that hasn’t met or heard Jane Steer laughing at the trots.
Steer comes from a long line of harness racing participants, with her grandfather Bill Steer importing one of the first stallions in to WA from America by the name of Sylk Bird in the early 1960’s. Daughter of trainer Les Steer, Jane first applied for her trainers licence during the 2018/2019 season, having just the one starter, but it wasn’t until 2020 where she got her first training win with Fortunate Adda, who brought up her second win for the stable on Sunday at the Central Wheatbelt.
“My dad has taught me a lot about horses, and I love taking on his knowledge of how to work with them,”
“There has been lots of people that have helped and encouraged me. Aldo is someone that I ring and ask questions. Sometimes I don’t like his feedback but once I think about it, it makes sense,”
“Maryann (White) has always been a great help as well.” Steer said.
Working her daily job at the Bendigo Bank, Steer wakes early each morning to work her only horse in work before tending to her three children and heading to work. Her children, Liam, Kody, and Tori all have an interest in horses as well, with all three competing in pony trots.
“Liam is lucky enough that on several school holidays, has had the chance to go to Aiden Decampo’s, Dylan Egerton-Green’s and Aldo Cortopassi’s stables. They are so good to him and are a credit to the industry, because men like that will keep kids like Liam wanting to be involved in the industry.”
“Kody and Tori like to come to the trots to play with other kids and make friends. All three kids do little jobs at home with me to help.”
Jane is all about her kids, if she isn’t working or doing the horses, she is doing something for her children. Her eldest, Liam (15) was selected to play in the Western Australian Basketball League which saw Jane driving to Perth twice a week for training and games, 13-year-old Kody plays football in the under13’s team for Northam Saints and youngest, Tori (7), is following in her mum’s footsteps with her love of horses, riding and doing pony trots with her adorable little ponies, Limehill Glory and Mrs Bucket.
“I wanted something as a hobby for myself and to keep me active, the horses always keep me interested,”
“If I’m not doing the horses, I’m doing something for the kids. It’s such a short time that they are little, and I won’t get the opportunity to do those things for them again once they’ve grown up.”
Steer hopes to one day expand her team, putting a cap on it for up to three horses, and whilst she has been on the look for some time, is yet to find the right horse to join her stable. Fortunate Adda will be racing next Sunday the 26th of September at the Central Wheatbelt.
Ashleigh Paikos