Harness driver reaching outstanding results

Local harness racing driver, Tayla French has been around horses most of her life but didn’t attempt to get her harness racing licence until she was 16 years of age; however, Sadly, on her first attempt, Tayla failed due to medical reasons. 

Tayla decided to try again in 2018, and to her surprise, she gained her licence in August 2018.

Tayla started harness racing from then on. 

Terry French is a local Heathcote horse trainer and is the Father of our local girl Tayla French. 

Three weeks into harness racing driving, Tayla wins first place at the Kilmore harness racing with local horse owner Lynne Mercieca from Toolleen.

Between the 25th of May and the 25th of June 2020, Tayla had seven wins.  

This is an outstanding result for someone who has only been driving for two years. 

On the 2nd of July 2020, Tayla drove Terry’s horse named Hard Rock Shannon and finished first at the Kilmore Harness Racing Club. 

Following on the 3rd of July, Tayla finished second, driving the horse named Down on the Barkers at the Ballarat Harness Racing Club. 

Then, on the 6th of July, Tayla had another fantastic result.  Driving her dad’s horse Joeys Hangover, she finished first at the Shepparton Harness Racing Club.  Not only did Tayla win, she also reached her 48th win on this day. 

Tayla also works with a Romsey based trainer named Chris Svanosio about 2-3 times a week, and this entails Tayla to gain additional experience within horse training and driving. 

Tayla works part-time at Heathcote Primary Health as a receptionist but hopes one day to be a Harness Racing driver full time. 

Keep up the good work Tayla. 

By: Tanya Brnjak

Reprinted with permission of The McIvor Times