Episode 470: Karen Owen

The Karen Owen story had potential podcast written all over it from the moment I interviewed her after a recent Randwick win with Fay’s Angels. A horse devotee from an early age, Karen was a whiz at pony club before transitioning to the eventing sport.  She dreamed of a job around horses, and jumped to attention when an opportunity came up with the NSW Mounted Police. Thirty three years later she left the force with the rank of Sergeant, and immediately embarked on a racehorse training career. Karen says she rarely has more than ten horses in work on the Killawarra property. She explains that most of her horses have been bred by clients. Karen says she’s too busy to pursue her first equestrian love of eventing, but still has a presence in the dressage arena. The trainer says she likes to keep her horses as close to nature as possible. The property offers several options. Karen says the horses are floated to the nearby Taree racecourse when a serious gallop is required. She pays tribute to veterinarian husband Adrian who had to build up a new practice from scratch when the family moved to Wingham. Karen talks of daughter Maddy who was literally born to the saddle, and wanted to become a jockey from the moment she started riding trackwork. The talented horsewoman looks back on early days in Sydney’s western suburbs and her very first pony- a gift from parents who knew nothing about horses. Karen talks of her first year as a Probationary Constable with the NSW Police. She was restricted to general duties for the first year of her new career. Most of her work was located in Sydney’s King’s Cross. She looks back on her long awaited introduction to the Mounted Police Headquarters in Redfern. She’s never forgotten the immaculate condition of the stables and gear. Karen says she was one of only three females in the mounted unit. It’s a very different story today. The former Sergeant Owen takes us through her many and varied duties with the “Mounties” including a very intimidating situation during the Cronulla race riots of 2005. She makes no secret of the fact that race day duty at nearby Randwick was easily her favourite working commitment. She says the buzz of the track whetted her appetite for racing. Karen looks back on a few notable former racehorses who found their way into the Mounted Police Unit. She talks of her first meeting with Veterinarian Adrian Owen whose duties included regular visits to the Mounted Police stables at Redfern. Karen looks back on Adrian’s  stint as a hobby trainer in the late 1990’s. She got the job as chief work rider before going off to work. Eventing was still very much a part of her life. She looks back on a trip to NZ for a Trans Tasman Challenge. Adrian came along as babysitter for first born Damian. Karen affectionately recalls a dream trip to England in 2012 when she got to ride before Queen Elizabeth. She recalls a conversation with Her Majesty and a humorous comment from the Duke Of Edinburgh. She’s never forgotten the moment she saw the Queen in the saddle at 86 years of age. Karen looks back on the thrill of receiving the Australian Police Medal, and her promotion to the rank of Sergeant. She talks of the riding talents of sons Damian and Callum. Karen looks back fondly on the thrill of her first training win at Bowraville. She talks of a Taree Gold Cup win with Sound And Vision, part owned by former Mounties working associate Ed Quilty. Karen acknowledges daughter Maddy’s clever ride on Sound And Vision. She delights in relating the story behind her first Randwick winner  Fay’s Angels. Another former work associate was responsible for Karen being given the mare to train. She says the quirky mare is well suited to farm life. Karen talks of the mare’s veteran owner breeder Ed Meadows who’s now 97 and going strong. It’s a nice chat with a lady who can’t imagine a single day without horses.