Episode 365: Sheila Laxon

Thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Sheila Laxon ONZM who’s now training in tandem with her partner John Symons on the Sunshine Coast.Welsh born Sheila was riding ponies on the family farm at age three, a precursor to a fascinating life with horses.  She begins by recalling her first meeting with John Symons when she brought Ethereal over for the 2001 Victorian spring carnival. Sheila says John was training a pretty good two year old colt at the time who would go on to spectacular racetrack and stud success. She talks of life on the Sunshine Coast and a Magic Millions Country Cup success. Welsh born Sheila recalls her early childhood in Pontypridd where she learned to ride bareback. She looks back on early experience with the Ted Long stables at Eltham and a subsequent job with John Dunlop at the Duke Of Norfolk’s famous Arundel training centre. Sheila remembers her world trip at age 18 and her fascination with NZ racing. On returning to NZ later she was able to gain an amateur jockey’s licence. She was a winner at her very first ride. Sheila has never forgotten the first time she met Laurie Laxon. She wasn’t overly impressed.  Sheila talks of her marriage to Laurie and the arrival of a son and daughter. She was also step mother to Laurie’s two children from a previous marriage. Today she’s a grandmother nine times over. She has vivid memories of the giant mare Empire Rose. The talented horsewoman still shudders when she looks back on a sickening fall at Gisborne and the long road back. On a more pleasant theme she recalls having the job of breaking in and educating Ethereal. She pleaded with owner Sir Peter Vela to allow her to train the future multiple Gr 1 winner. Sheila recaps her exciting journey with Ethereal and pays tribute to jockey Scott Seamer. She talks of the burgeoning relationship with John Symons and a horror accident at Macedon Lodge destined to put her in a wheelchair for many months. Sheila nominates a few horses to watch from her current team. This is a lovely trip down memory lane with Sheila Laxon who in 2002 was appointed an officer of the New Zealand Order Of Merit for her services to racing.