The bond beyond the bridle

Strapping racehorses could be considered akin to joining a convent or monastery.

It’s not just a job. It’s a calling.A strapper’s role is mainly behind the scenes, requiring personal sacrifices, while unwavering commitment to the thoroughbreds in their care.

Trainers often do their best to thank “the team at home” in post-race interviews following a stable victory – while those very team members are already leading the winner back to the stalls for a wash and a well-earned drink.

Strappers arrive at work to tend to the horses’ needs at an hour when most of us are still asleep. The dark is a constant companion for much of a strapper’s shift, which begins with preparing horses for trackwork before mucking out boxes, washing down horses after galloping, and feeding.

That’s without even considering swimming, shoeing, or veterinary visits – all of which they assist with, sometimes simply by keeping their horse calm and happy.

Race days can mean long journeys across the state or even interstate, spent soothing their equine athlete during tedious trips.

Night racing might see them return home in the early hours, depending on the meeting and the stable's location.

But they do it – day after day, for the horses.Strappers adore the horses with whom they spend so many hours. For Sammi Waters, it was almost love at first sight when she met Pride Of Jenni, shortly after the mare arrived at Ciaron Maher and then-training partner David Eustace’s Cranbourne stable.

“I was quite taken with her the first time I saw her, and we’ve done everything together since,” the New Zealand-born Waters said. “She’s such a beautiful horse to deal with, and I always enjoy my time with her.”

Waters had the double thrill of riding Pride Of Jenni in some of her work as their relationship quickly blossomed.

She said the bond was well-established long before the mare’s breakout wins in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes and Champions’ Mile during the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“She made it very, very easy to get up in the mornings,” Waters said. “Even when I’d go out for a ride on her and she was feeling a bit fresh or feisty, I knew I was going to have a good time on her, and every time I spend time with her, it’s very enjoyable.

“She does her work and lets you do whatever you have to do with her, but she doesn’t like to be fussed around too much. I trust her with my life, and I hope she does the same with me as well.”

Waters had an inkling that Pride Of Jenni could win the Empire Rose Stakes, and told people as much before the race.

“It was pretty special,” Waters said. “Going into the Empire Rose, I was saying to people, ‘I think this could be her Group 1’ as it was a very winnable Group 1 for her. It’s funny how you look back on it, how
much she came on after that win.”

The victory marked the start of an extraordinary journey: a win in the All-Star Mile the following autumn, followed by a breath taking Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph in Sydney.

Waters relished those moments, but it’s the relationships that will endure, particularly her friendship with Pride Of Jenni’s owners Tony and Lyn Ottobre.

“I’m quite good friends with Tony and Lyn now, and they’re great people who have been so good to me,” she said. “I’ve met all their family, and we still keep in contact. I go and see her (Pride Of Jenni) when she’s spelling.”

Waters is still deciding whether to pursue training herself, but said working at Maher’s stable has been the perfect learning environment.

“I’m still figuring out everything I want to do, but I don’t think I could be at a better stable than Ciaron’s if I do want to pursue a career in training,” she said. “Riding is always great, but I’ve learned just as much being on the ground and watching great horse people, learning something new every day at Ciaron’s.”

Mr Brightside’s strapper, Will Evans, already knows where he’s heading – he wants to train.

Evans moved from Carnarvon, a town of 5000 people situated 900km north of Perth, to Melbourne to chase that dream.

“That’s the ultimate goal. Becoming a trainer,” Evans said.
Meeting and working with Mr Brightside has been a pivotal part of his learning journey in racing.

A simple roster note paired the two, but Evans couldn’t stay away from the eight-year-old gelding even after being promoted to foreman at Lindsay Park.

He has strapped Mr Brightside for over 40 of his races – including ten Group 1 wins, four at Flemington.

However, one suspects Evans would still happily strap Mr Brightside even if the gelding didn’t have the class that has taken him to 20 wins and more than $17 million in stakes.

“I thought he had a lot of ability, but it was just his nature; he was just beautiful to strap at the races,” Evans said. “He’s very bombproof and chilled to do anything with so it makes everyone’s lives very easy.”

Regardless of where Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside go when their racing days are done, Sammi Waters and Will Evans will always carry their memories.

That’s just what strappers do – they love their horses.