Yuill Rewrites Local Racing History Again
12 September, 2018
Thoroughbred
Kyra Yuill has again created local racing history, this time as the first person in the modern era to train and ride a horse to win in Western Australia.
At Belmont on Wednesday, Yuill established the new benchmark when she partnered Scooter’s Machine to an all the way victory in a 1400m handicap.
The Maschino four-year-old held out Fair Joy to win by a neck with a further 2 ½ lengths to third placegetter, Perceive in the Tabtouch-Better Your Bet Maiden
The trailblazing Yuill, who became the first female jockey to claim a Perth Cup on Western Jewel in 2011, was granted a dual license last season.
The former champion apprentice was delighted to notch up another racing milestone, but said it wouldn’t have been achieved without the support of her parents.
“It’s great to get one, but I’m very lucky to have the support of mum and dad,” Yuill said.
“They own the horses that I train and I couldn’t do it without them, it’s a real team effort.
“It’s good fun but being a trainer is very challenging.
“I must admit this horse (Scooter’s Machine) is no superstar and a few starts ago I was quite happy to get rid of him, but lucky mum and dad got me to keep him.
“He has done a fantastic job and has paid his way for sure.
“If we place him right he will win races.”
Yuill’s father Graham, an accomplished trainer in his own right, who prepared Scooter Machine’s sire Maschino to win the Group Peters Stakes (1500m) in 2012, his best win in racing, said he couldn’t be any prouder of his daughter.
“She deserves all the reward she can get,” Yuill said.
“She works hard and puts the effort in.
“I’m over the moon with what she has achieved.
“Her hard work has paid off.”
Julio Santarelli