Episode 400: Danielle Seib

I’m delighted to welcome Danielle Seib as the subject of our 400th episode since the website was launched in May of 2018. This interview was recorded before Danielle won her first race for new clients Champion Thoroughbreds at Wagga on Dec 23rd. The horse in question was Smokeshow who put a Class 3 field away in impressive fashion. Danielle begins by talking about a brief stint as a Science teacher before going full time as a trainer. She pays tribute to Assault’n’Bathory, the horse who kick started her training career. Danielle explains the unusual circumstances under which the gelding was purchased. The trainer looks back on two TAB Highway wins with the slow maturing Assault’n’Bathory. She also gives Tudor Prince an honourable mention. Danielle talks of a bargain basement buy from the popular Inglis Digital Online Auction. She pays tribute to her partner Aaron, a member of a legendary harness racing family. Aaron also happens to be an outstanding farrier. Danielle talks of her long time love of riding trackwork. She believes it helps her to monitor the characteristics of horses in her care. She acknowledges the efforts of her co trackwork riders. She speaks highly of apprentice Hannah Williams who only recently relocated to Goulburn, accompanied by her partner Nick Heywood. Nick is a highly regarded jockey who’s currently getting over a leg injury. Danielle speaks of the E-Tracker device she uses on many of her horses during trackwork. The trainer explains how it works. She talks affectionately of her late father and valued mentor Lewis, who had an interesting background in the industry. She recalls her early aspirations to become a jockey.  Danielle recalls with great sadness the sudden passing of her father who died just one month following the diagnosis of a brain tumor. She pays tribute to mother Julie who still lives in the Hunter Valley but contributes significantly to the administration of her daughter’s training operation. Danielle made a pledge to her father that she’d attain a qualification in a field of her choice in case a training career didn’t eventuate. She explains how she gained a valuable degree and put it to use as a Science teacher. The trainer talks of the three yearlings she was commissioned to buy for a Hong Kong based owner. One of them has won five races in Hong Kong but recently returned to her stable. Danielle gives punters a good pointer for the future prospects of Associate, a Star Witness 3YO who shows plenty of promise. This is a laid back chat with a young lady who’s rapidly making her presence felt in the NSW training ranks.