Episode 587: Samantha McGuren - Hard working mother-of-two making a name for herself in the northern rivers training ranks.

Episode 587: Samantha McGuren - Hard working mother-of-two making a name for herself in the northern rivers training ranks.

July 6, 2026 · 44 min · Season 1 · Episode 587

About this episode

Samantha McGuren discusses her journey as a horse trainer and the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career.

Almost without exception successful horse trainers are hard workers. There’s a 35 year old Grafton based Mum who’s in accord with the quote made famous by former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who said “hard work won’t always get you to the top but with ordinary luck will get you pretty near.” Samantha’s been around horses from the toddling stage. After notable success in the pony club and campdrafting pursuits, she transitioned to thoroughbreds by becoming a trackwork rider at the busy Grafton training precinct. A successful two and a half year stint as a jockey triggered her interest in the training of the animal and that’s where we find her today. Sam works a team of twenty horses from Hosier Lodge right on the Grafton track and has already established a reputation as a very serious young trainer in the northern region. Samantha and husband Matt McGuren live 20 kms outside Grafton requiring very early starts for both. Matt is currently having a break from the rigours of the sweat box but still has a significant input into stable duties. Sam says he rides a number of horses before heading off to his day job. She pays tribute to Matt’s skills as a professional jockey and…

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