Sally-Anne Marshall is the fashion ambassador for Country Racing Victoria
By Glen Atwell
MODEL Sally-Anne Marshall is the new fashion ambassador for Country Racing Victoria, and she can’t wait for the Cranbourne Cup.
Sally-Anne’s passion for thoroughbreds runs in the family.
Her sister Nikki is a well-known Cranbourne trainer, and Sally-Anne’s husband Simon is a champion ex-jockey who rode 15 Group-1 winners in a glittering career.
Sally-Anne began her career in the industry as a track rider and strapper, but a car accident when she was 19 forced her to reconsider her career.
“It was a bad accident,” she said.
“I fractured my neck in two places, broke my cheekbone, had 12 pins inserted in my ankle, and injured my hip. I couldn’t ride, and soon after that, by pure chance, someone in my street asked me to do some modelling photos.”
Sally-Anne appeared in a Pumped Up Down Under calendar and found regular work after that.
Her love for horse racing never waned, and she was soon gracing the catwalk at fashions on the field events around Victoria.
Sally-Anne has won events at Kyneton, Moe, Horsham, and her home track, Cranbourne on Cranbourne Cup Day in 2005.
“Winning at my local was great fun, and the prizes are outstanding too. I won a $7000 shopping spree,” she said.
Sally-Anne rates a victory in the fashions event in Sydney on Golden Slipper Day in 2005 as one of her biggest thrills.
“I won $50,000 worth of prizes for that one, including a diamond necklace,” she said.
But give Sally-Anne a choice between walking the catwalk and owning thoroughbreds and her choice is clear.
“Being involved with racehorses is the greatest fun,” she said.
Sally-Anne may also be Australia’s luckiest owner. Her first horse, Worth The Wait, won eight races, including the Crown Cup on Oaks Day at Flemington in 2002.
“I’ve enjoyed luck as an owner; nothing beats the thrill of watching your own horse win. I would really love a runner in one of the spring’s big races,” she said.
On Sundays, Sally-Anne helps her sister Nikki on the family farm.
“Nikki has some good horses in the stable at the moment. Not A Copy and Rok Posta are both city winners and are in the paddock set to return for a spring campaign,” she said.
Sally-Anne also regularly attends country race meetings.
“I love going to the country races, and now as the fashion ambassador I have the perfect excuse to go to as many race days as possible,” she said.
“Country races are one of Victoria’s best kept secrets. You can actually see the horses up close and the atmosphere is more relaxed.
“Dressing for country races is fun. You can wear a beautiful dress and hat but don’t have to wear six inch heels to look the part,” Sally-Anne said.
After marrying Simon in a ceremony at the Australian Racing Museum at Federation Square last month, she waved off her new husband to Beijing, where he is a commentating equestrian with Channel 7’s Olympic team.
“Simon is having the time of his life in China. It’s been a big year, and I’m looking forward to the Spring Racing Carnival. Cranbourne Cup Day is going to be great. That’s the meeting I’m looking forward to the most,” Sally-Anne said.
