Taylah is one of the state’s shining lights

Harness racing has played a major role in the lives of the Osmond family, who are based at Jeir, just north of Canberra.

Ian and his son Scott have been prominent in the sport, particularly in the nation’s capital where they have successfully participated.

But it has been the emergence of a third generation Osmond that has boosted the family’s enthusiasm with 18-year-old Taylah fast developing into one of the state’s shining lights.

Taylah is the daughter of Scott and his wife Kylie, and the youngster hit the ground running, showing untold ability in the gig since gaining her license in 2020 – and she has not looked back.

Last week at Wagga, Osmond notched up her 50th career win aboard the aptly-named Taylahs Ace, which is trained by grandfather, Ian.

“It was certainly a great feeling to bring up my 50th win with one trained by my Pop,” said Taylah.

“Pop has been quite the lucky charm for me as he also trained my very first winner.

“And he has been a wonderful mentor to me, alongside Dad and Mum.

“Ours is a close-knit family operation at home and there is no way I would have met with the success I have been fortunate to have had without the support and hard work that my family has provided.”

Taylah will make the three-hour trek from her home base to Bathurst tonight where she will partner two horses that are trained by another of her good supporters, Corey Parker, who lives near the Osmonds at Murrumbatemen.

Parker is a quiet achiever with a great strike rate and his pair, Nifty Ronald (Race 1) and Jimmyjoe (Race 4) look ideally placed after drawing well and Osmond believes both geldings have realistic each-way chances.

“I won aboard Nifty Ronald at Bathurst last week under similar conditions,” said Osmond.

“He has good gate speed to put himself into his races so if we find the pegs early tonight, as was the case last week, I cannot see why he cannot repeat the dose.

“Jimmyjoe has drawn perfectly in gate one so I expect that he will gain an economical run.

“I have a few options from there and based on his past few efforts, including a win two starts back, he should be in the mix.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW