Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Find your frequency hereBarrett beaming after riding first winner
Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • August 12th, 2025 3:46 pm
Frankie Barrett returning to the Hawera birdcage after winning aboard Shawshank on Sunday | Photo: Jane Davidson (Race Images Palmerston North)
Frankie Barrett could hardly wipe the smile off her face after riding the first winner of her career at Hawera on Sunday.
The 20-year-old apprentice had just ticked over 20 rides when she was legged aboard the Kevin Myers-trained Shawshank in the last on the card, with the son of El Roca rated the second-favourite in an even Rating 65 contest.
Jumping from the ace barrier, Shawshank flew the gates and took a clear lead early, settling into a lovely rhythm for Barrett along the back straight. The gelding was still travelling into the home straight and the only danger was coming from I Don’t, who is prepared by Barrett’s employer Allan Sharrock.
Under hands and heels, Shawshank had the upper hand on I Don’t and drew away late to score by 2 – ¼ lengths, delivering Barrett a moment she has dreamed of.
“I’m over the moon, I can’t really believe it and it’s been a long time coming for me to get raceday riding,” she said. “It felt amazing, I knew Shawshank would be an exciting ride and quite a good chance for me to get the job done.
“I was originally told to sit third, but he jumped so positively and travelled beautifully, I had so much horse underneath me. I saw Allan’s horse, I Don’t, was coming up on my outside, but I couldn’t let him have this one.
“It was very special to get a winner for Kevin Myers, who has given me so many opportunities, and Shawshank’s owner John Bell, who I rode for on Saturday as well.
“Allan doesn’t trial as many horses because we are so far away, whereas Kevin Myers has a lot of horses and a lot of jumpers trialling. It was the best way for me to get fit and learn by going around at the trials on the jumpers, he was very supportive of me the whole way through.
“I have a long way to go still but getting that first step out of the way was very rewarding.”
English-born Barrett has lived in Auckland for most of her life, and while she was always involved with horses, racing came into the picture four years ago.
“I was born in England, but have grown up in New Zealand, so I have a bit of a twang (accent),” she said.
“I grew up riding ponies, breaking in Gisbornes and doing showing, but there isn’t much money in that, so being short and super competitive, I decided to go down the path of becoming a jockey.
“I started off trackwork riding at Byerley Park under the New Zealand Equine Academy with Donovan Mansour, and I did my Level 2 with him. That was a great experience and a really good introduction into the industry.
“I then went to Kylie Hoskin’s and she was amazing, she put a lot of time and effort into me back when I was a bit young and lost, she was a huge support and like family to me. I knew from there that I was ready to give it a real go, and I knew of Allan, so I tried to get in touch with him.
“I called and messaged him every day for about two weeks, then finally on a Sunday night when he was having dinner, I caught him and he let me come down to New Plymouth and ride for him.
“I’ve been down here for the last two years, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Everyone is very bright and happy in the mornings, it’s a great way to start your day.
“I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
Under Sharrock’s guidance, Barrett progressed through jump-outs and trials, and he provided her first two raceday rides in mid-June after she was accepted into NZTR’s newly-established Elite Jockey Programme.
She recalled how positive that first day at Te Rapa was as a young rider, but from there, she had to up her game.
“In my first day racing, I almost got a bit lucky and had some really nice rides, so after that I thought it was pretty sweet and I was good to go,” she said.
“After a few more rides, I realised that it is a totally different energy out there, people aren’t just out training, they are competitive and it was a bit of a shock to the system. I took a step back and knew I needed to up my game and start focussing on where I can improve.
“I was so chuffed winning on Sunday, but every time I go out there, you learn so much from the other riders and when you make a mistake, you try to be better for the next time.”
Alongside Sharrock, Hoskin and Myers, Barrett shared her gratitude for her family, as well as the Clotworthys and apprentice mentor Kim Clapperton.
“I have to thank my family for being so supportive of me and helping me get set up down in New Plymouth while they are in Auckland,” she said.
“Shaun and Emma Clotworthy have also been hugely supportive, they helped me get in touch with Allan and I’ve stayed in close contact with them, they are always there if I need a place to stay or need help with anything.
“One of my biggest thanks has to go to my apprentice mentor, Kim Clapperton. I cannot thank her enough, she’s an amazing woman and does so much for us. She is tough enough to push us to be our best, but also when you’ve had a hard time, she’s there to support you any time of the day.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
