

Profile of a Strapper - Bronte Page
Bronte has been riding since the age of three, and has followed her love of horses into a successful career at the heart of the industry.
Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get a start in the racing industry?
I have been involved in horses for most of my life and started riding when I was three and joined pony club not long after. From there I followed my love of horses into a job that involved training endurance horses and then decided to make the move to work in the racing industry for Adam Trinder and Leah Goodrick. Adam and Leah have been great mentors for me throughout the years I have worked for them, because of this I found a real passion for the racing industry and the opportunities that come with it.
What do you love most about your work?
I love watching these horses go from yearlings to athletes. This transformation takes a lot of hard work and patience. During this time you can create some great bonds and relationships with these horses and gain a lot of knowledge from the people you are working with.
How long have you been Mystic journey’s strapper? Was this your first time travelling with her to the Mainland?
I have worked with Mystic Journey after she came from the breakers to be trained by Adam. Throughout this time I have had the opportunity to ride her track work and strapped her at six of her nine starts. I also travelled to Caulfield with Mystic last month to where she won the Jim Moloney Stakes.
Is there anything different about travelling a horse on a ferry to simply trucking them, how do you prepare them for the journey?
Traveling horses across the water is fairly simple. We try not to change their routine too much and just ensure they have access to plenty of food and water before they are loaded onto the truck. Most horses seem to handle the boat trip quite well and seem to remain quite calm throughout the whole trip.
How long does the journey to Melbourne take?
The journey can take between 10-12 hours depending where she is staying in Melbourne.
How did you feel when Mystic Journey won the G2 at Moonee Valley?
There was a lot of mixed emotions, I felt so much excitement and pride but a small amount of disappointment that the other staff back home that put in the hard yards weren’t there to celebrate and experience this overwhelming moment. It’s an amazing experience to be able to strap a winner at that level and a moment I will never forget.
Any other career highlights that come to mind?
Being part of Mystic Journey's win in the Sky Elwick Stakes at Hobart and her first mainland win in the Aquis Jim Moloney stakes at Caulfield.
What is the hardest aspect of your job?
The hardest aspect of my job would be the hours - early morning riding track work and late night races. This takes some getting used to but is totally worth it when you get the results you are chasing.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get a job as a strapper?
The racing industry isn’t the easiest place to work the early hours and split shifts but give it time, jump at every opportunity that you can. Take on board criticism and learn from your mistakes it’s the only way you will move forward and improve. Most of all enjoy working with these amazing horses.
I would like to say a massive thank you to Adam Trinder and Leah Goodrick for the opportunity to travel with Mystic Journey and also to Wayne Roser and his partner Jeannine for continuing to trust me with their amazing filly. The experiences have been sensational.
-
Lindsay Park Provided Perfect Atmosphere for Learn...
I never truly understood the phrase “Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a da... more
-
Essaouira: The Power Behind the Glory - Jack Cripp
For avid racing fans, horses such as Makybe Diva, Winx, Black Caviar and So You Think are names t... more
-
Kate Bell Relishing Time Foaling Mares at Evergree...
My placement at Evergreen Stud has been amazing and such an eye-opener, with so many different op... more
-
Industry Mentors: Craig Rounsefell
Craig Rounsefell has worked with a number of widely-respected Australian horsemen and internation... more
-
Thoroughbred Industry Careers Partner with Pony Cl...
Pony Club was an important stage on Hugh Bowman’s pathway to a championship career as a joc... more
-
Industry Mentors: James Bester
James Bester enjoys the richest of racing lives that has been shaped by a host of high-profile bl... more
-
Olivia Rauber Discovering Importance of Pony Ridin...
Working at Lindsay Park for my racing stable placement has easily been one of the best experience... more
-
Industry Mentors: Bonnie Connellan
The racing flame was kindled early on for Bonnie Connellan and it has burned brightly ever since,... more
-
Ethan Pincott Blog: Life as a Lindsay Park Racing ...
Working for Lindsay Park Racing (LPR) at their Flemington Stables has been such a rewarding exper... more
-
Industry Mentors: Bruce Slade
Family came first in the race to ignite Bruce Slade’s passion for the thoroughbred and lit ... more
-
Working At GWR An Eye-Opening Experience For Lucy ...
Working for Gai Waterhouse Racing for my work placement has been such an eye-opening experience t... more
-
Fairy Tale Finish For Holly Turnbull at Coona
Only a few months after driving nearly seven hours to watch Winx’s fairy tale ending in her... more
-
Securing the Future at Coonabarabran
Hundreds of High School students have a much greater awareness of career opportunities in the Tho... more
-
Industry Mentors: Damon Gabbedy
Damon Gabbedy’s thoroughbred world has expanded to a truly global business and he’s f... more
-
Industry Mentors: Mike Fleming
Mike Fleming honed his skills with an acknowledged master of the thoroughbred trade and mentor to... more
-
April Cooper Living Her Dream at Chris Waller Raci...
Horse racing has been one of my biggest passions ever since I was a little kid. But being born in... more
-
Industry mentors: Ron Quinton
Ron Quinton served a successful apprenticeship with a master tutor, but it was so much more than ... more
-
Experience of A Lifetime: Week 3 Blog - Britnee At...
Wow, what an experience I am having.
From meeting the amazing big trainer Tony McEvoy t... more
-
Cadet Blog: Phase Two - Week 3 - Becki Barlow
When Despacito crossed the line first as a longshot at Sandown Park last Wednesday, it was a big ... more
-
Cadet Blog: Phase Two - Week 2 - Courtney Foale
Week two of my racing stable placement for the Explorer Cadetship program has been a very excitin... more
-
Cadet Blog: Phase Two - Week 1 - Sophia Flight
And so, it has begun.
When I first arrived at the powerhouse known as Godolphin on a Su... more
-
Cadet Blog: Phase one wrap up - Lauren Newman
With the first phase of the Cadetship behind them, Lauren Newman reflects on her experiences whil... more
-
Cadet Blog: Week 8 - Ellie Morrison
As the Cadets get closer to taking on their first work placement, Ellie Morrison learned some val... more
-
Cadet Blog: Week 8 - Courtney Foale
As the Cadets enter their final few weeks of the Boot Camp portion of the Cadetship, they are put... more
-
Profile of an Equine Physio - Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson began his career as a human physiotherapist who decided he liked horses more than hum... more
-
Profile of a Bloodstock Manager - Clint Donovan
The Bloodstock Manager and auctioneer at Magic Millions, Clint Donovan has spent years honing his... more
-
Paige Belsham - Communications/ Client Relations
TDN: Can you tell us a bit about your career in the Thoroughbred industry so far, how did yo... more
-
Profile of a Yearling Manager - Zoe Baylis
TDN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get your start in the industry?
... more -
Profile of Thoroughbred Photographers - Bronwen He...
TDN: Tell us a bit about yourselves, how long have you been photographers?
more -
Cadet Blog: Week 7 - Kate Bell
From learning about broodmare care to having to clock herself while galloping, Week 7 was a week ... more
-
Cadet Blog: Week 7 - Samantha Melouney
It was a busy week for Cadet Samantha Melouney but included a day she’ll never forget thank... more
-
Claudia Miller - Sales & Communications
TDN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started in the industry?
<... more -
Cadet Blog: Week 6 - April Cooper
Wet weather didn’t put a damper on the Cadets’ sixth week of the program with riders ... more
-
Cadet Blog: Week 5 - Analiese Langer
Rider Analiese Langer talks about what she learned during Week Five of the Cadetship and how one ... more
-
Cadet Blog: Week 4 - Sophia Flight
Rider Sophia Flight isn’t just learning about the racing industry during the Explorer Cadet... more
-
Cadet Blog: Week 3 - Lucy Jarjoura
The riders are finding a few challenges as they learn how trackwork is a different style of ridin... more
-
Cadet Blog: Week 3 - Ethan Pincott
The Cadets had an exciting week last week when getting to do everything from taking horses to the... more
-
How to Become a Trainer
After watching the races, you’ve decided you have a keen interest in helping horses live up... more
-
Emily Murphy - TV Presenter
Today we talk to Trackside TV presenter Emily Murphy about how she got into racing and what a day... more
-
I want to work with foals, what is the best career...
You’ve seen the photos of Winx or Black Caviar with their handlers as foals and now you&rsq... more
-
A Day in the Life - Edwina Palmer
A veterinarian, Edwina Palmer spent time as a racing manager before taking the plunge to go back ... more
-
Lachlan Donnelly - Farm Manager
Today we talk to Lachlan Donnelly, farm manager of Misty Valley's Greenfields Lodge farm in Capel... more
-
Dane Robinson - Highclere Racing Manager
TDN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started in the industry?
<... more -
Conall Meegan - Freelance Sales Leader
TDN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started in the industry?
<... more -
A Day in the Life - Dale Jeffs
The starter for the Australian Turf Club, Dale Jeffs plays an important role in making sure races... more
-
Jock Harris - Yearling Manager
TDN: Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started in the industry?... more
-
Jasmine Robertson - Marketing Manager
TDN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started in the industry?
... more -
Josh Rix - Nominations Manager
This week we had a chance to sit down with Josh Rix, Nominations Manager at Spendthrift Australia... more
-
Profile of a Horse Transport Driver - Chris Mahone
In 2011, Chris and his wife co-founded A1 Horse Transport, after more than 20 years of transporti... more
-
Profile of a Strapper - Sarah Rütten
Sarah is Tony McEvoy’s travelling foreman, and is on the road with the horses whenever... more
-
Profile of a Strapper - Bronte Page
Bronte has been riding since the age of three, and has followed her love of horses into a success... more
-
Profile of a Strapper - Umut Odemislioglu
Umut's passion for horses led him from Turkey to Ireland and then Australia, where he is now... more
-
Profile of a Race Caller - Matt Hill
Matt's grandfather instilled in him a love for racing, and from a young age he has honed his... more
-
Profile of a Trainer – Adrian Bott
Gai Waterhouse Racing co-trainer Adrian Bott sits down with us to talk about life as a trainer in... more
-
What roles allow for me to travel?
The great thing about racing is that all careers allow you to travel the world. For example, you ... more
-
What qualifications do I require to work in this i...
The best thing about getting started in horse racing is that you don’t need any qualificati... more
-
How do I get my first job?
There are many different ways to get your first job in the Thoroughbred industry.
One w... more
-
What hours and days will I be required to be at wo
If you like watching sunrises and getting up early, racing is for you. No matter if you choose a ... more
-
Will I be part of a team or work individually?
While there are some everyday tasks in racing that you will do individually, overall horse racing... more
-
Becoming a Steward
If you like enforcing rules and conducting investigations, being a steward is for you.
... more -
How do I work with a Melbourne Cup winner?
While caring for racehorses may not get you the most attention of any job in the industry, it is ... more
-
Becoming a Farrier
The saying “no foot, no horse” is one of the truest sayings you’ll hear in hors... more
-
Becoming a Vet
Ever since you took your first pet to the vet as a child and saw how she healed him, you’ve... more
-
Working as a Racing Manager
Champion Thoroughbreds’ Racing Manager Emma Guymer sits down with us to talk about life as ... more
-
Where are the main jobs located?
You can find jobs in the racing industry around the country – and the world – but lik... more
-
How to become a jockey
You’ve watched Hugh Bowman pilot Winx to win after win and have decided you want to follow ... more
-
How do I learn the skills needed to work with hors
You’ve never been around horses before and have no idea how to handle them, YouTube videos ... more
-
How far looking after horses can take you
While caring for racehorses may not get you the most attention of any job in the industry, it is ... more