Top jockey Siggy Carr will ride again but has sights set on training a Hobart Cup winner

She is one of the leading lights in horse racing and after surviving a near career ending fall she is hoping for success as a trainer. Read about her tenacity.

Jockey and trainer Siggy Carr with Thespian Waters. Siggy suffered a bad race fall that has required surgery and a long recovery. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After a bad fall last year, jockey Siggy Carr was unsure if she would ever ride again.

Despite the pain, several surgeries and still wearing a neck brace nearly six months after the accident she kept on with her love of training.

Carr has about 26 horses in her stable at Brighton.

One of Tasmania’s most successful jockeys she won the Hobart Cup in 2015 on Geegee’s Blackflash – and one day hopes to train a Cup winner.

She moved to Adelaide in 2014 and attracted national attention when she won four group three races in a seven-event program at Morphettville. In 2018 she added training to her work as a jockey.

“I grew up with Dad (Royston) training, so I just wanted to follow his footsteps,” Carr said.

Jockey and trainer Siggy Carr with Thespian Waters. Siggy suffered a bad riding fall that has required surgery and a long recovery and will miss riding in the Summer Racing Festival. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

She hasn’t ridden since a fall at the Hobart trials on July 31 which nearly ended her career.

“I was concussed, I fractured my clavicle or broke it because I had to have surgery and broke my neck, which then required surgery three months later.

“I’ve been so lucky. I’ve had tumbles here and there.

“I was unsure of my return, until my most recent surgery to my neck, which is now very positive that I’ll be able to return to the saddle.

“Prior to that the injury, we weren’t quite sure whether it was going to be safe enough, but since the surgery, it’s stable.”

To keep her mind off her injuries, with the support of partner Troy Baker, and her “fantastic team” of loyal staff and horse owners, she was able to continue training.

Carr will have several runners at both the Hobart and Launceston cup carnivals including Pennine and Miss Tasmania. She has no runners at Wednesday’s Devonport Cup meet.

“Miss Tasmania has had five starts for four wins and won two feature races. She won the Magic Millions.”

Jockey and trainer Siggy Carr with Thespian Waters. Siggy suffered a bad riding fall that has required surgery and a long recovery and will miss riding in the Summer Racing Festival. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Carr is also pleased with the success of 4yo bay gelding Thespian Waters, as is part owner Gary Richards, who threw a party on Saturday to celebrate the horse.

“He’s done really, really well, been very successful and we’re mapping out a plan to take him to Melbourne for the Autumn,” she said.

“He’s an absolute gentleman. He is a fast horse, but at the same time, he’s just got the best nature. He’s an enjoyable horse to be around and very easy horse to train.”

Asked if she thinks she will one day train a Hobart Cup winner Carr smiles and says: “I’m pretty confident I will.”