Rory’s making her mark on harness racing

“Inspirational” is the perfect word to describe Rory Coverdale’s journey in harness racing.

She’s only 20 years of age, with no family history in the sport and has already driven and trained a winner.

“I got into harness racing because we used to drive past Marg Lee’s place to get to our town and I said to Mum one day ‘I’m going to work there one day’ and then I went and asked for a job,” Coverdale said.

“I got a job feeding horses and putting them on and off the walker.

“Then Mattie Craven offered me a full-time job, so I left school and went and worked for him, and I was there for six years.”

Coverdale had her first driving win at Hamilton with the Craven-trained gelding Banksofthemurray on June 17, 2022.

“I would just like to say a huge, big thankyou to Matthew Craven for getting me into the sport, showing me how to drive properly and always helping me no matter what,” Coverdale said.

“He’s taught me how to drive in a race properly and do my form. He has encouraged me to do everything even when I didn’t think I could.”

Coverdale recently obtained her training licence so she could prepare Surprise To Me, a horse she co-owns with her parents, grand-parents and brothers. It was with this squaregaiter that she recently had her first training success.

“It was the best feeling in the world,” the Glenfyne-based horsewoman said.

Coverdale is grateful and thankful for the support her family have shown along the journey.

“My family mean the absolute world to me. They support me in every way possible,” she said.

“I am a first-generation harness racing girl and it’s proof that any person who doesn’t know about the industry can get into it and be as successful as I have been.”

Coverdale shares her inspiring story of how she’s making her mark in harness racing below.

by Bronte Nieuwenburg, for Harness Racing Victoria