Ajay Markham making trial debut

Ajay Markham is set to be the next new driver to join the ranks, with the 16-year-old due to make his appearance at trials in the coming weeks.

Following in the footsteps of his dad, Ashleigh Markham, Ajay knew early on in life that this is what he wanted, and after two-and-a-half years in Victoria with his family, he relocated back to WA early to get his head start.

“I was starting to miss my family and friends over here and then I was starting a new job for Ryan Bell,

“I worked there for a little bit, then moved down to Capel, working full time for Aiden De Campo.”

Growing up in the industry, Ajay comes from a long line of harness racing enthusiasts, including the astute Ryan Bell, Markham’s uncle, and his grandfather Peter Bell.

“I have been around horses all of my life with mum (Tamara Markham) and dad training and then when I was old enough to drive trackwork for dad one day, that’s when I knew I wanted to become a harness racing driver,

“since that day I loved being with the horses and then finally I wanted to drive in races for dad and anyone else.”

Markham made his way to Aiden De Campo’s stable in late 2023, and De Campo has taken him under his wing ever since.

De Campo, a skilled reinsman himself has a knack for teaching, with recent departure Emily Johnson learning much of her trade from the Capel based horseman.

“I actually like it here,

“I learn something new every day which is good for me especially when I’m about to driver in races and stuff,

“He’s a very good teacher.”

With no real aims at present, the ultimate goal, like many is to one day eventually win a pacing cup or win a big race, but for now Markham is enjoying the journey and all the challenges that come with it.

“The more I do trackwork and jog work, I feel more comfortable with it all,

“Some horses are a bit different to others, so sometimes I feel a bit nervous and stuff, but the more I work them, the less I feel nervous.”

Just like many before him, Ajay started his journey in the cart in Pony Trots, and after a very successful career behind the well performed ‘Striker’ who taught the likes of Ryan Bell, Aiden De Campo, Bailey McDonough, Damien Lane, Donald and Kyle Harper just to name a few, if that pony has anything to do with it, Ajay could have a very successful career ahead of him.

“Me and my brother (Chase) used to race to the finish line and doing it with Liam (Elliott) and Aaron (Suvaljko) who are driving in races now,

“(It was) very fun.”

Ajay makes his trial debut this Friday, March 15 at Bunbury.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA