WA Junior Drivers emerging

In recent months we’ve seen Lachlan Kennelly and Kylah Madden make their debuts, but Sara Grout is only a few short months away from completing her harness racing trials and gaining her ‘B’ grade drivers’ licence, a career decision she is very happy about.

“I love it, it’s something new and exciting,

“It took me a while to gain a bit of self-confidence, but having so many people to back me and help me out has made it all the more enjoyable,” Grout said.

Working for Dylan Egerton-Green, Grout now has just 10 trials left to complete before she can officially drive in races, but her love of harness racing stems from her grandfather, Thomas White, who was involved in racing when she was a child.

‘I was only young when he passed but I followed along with one of my aunties, Maryann White, who got me started in the trots and I found the love for it from there.”

Enjoying everything she has learned in harness racing, Grout was looking to take the next step and she hasn’t looked back, under the tutilage of successful trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green, who takes the time to mentor Sarah; watching all of her trial drives to discuss where she has gone right and helping her understand where she needs to improve.

“Every time I’m out there I pick up something new,

“Learning more of the rules and how it all worked. All the drivers are always willing to give me advice and answer any questions I have.”

Grout originally took out her trainer’s licence in 2021 and although she’s yet to get that elusive first win, she’s taken a break from training to concentrate on the driving aspect of harness racing.

The 22-year-old started working for Egerton-Green in January 2021 and after three years with the stable she jokes that she’s surprised they’ve put up with her for as long as they have.

The future is looking bright for the WA junior driver ranks, with Kylah Madden, Lachlan Kennelly, Sara Grout, Abbey Vidovich, Ajay Markham and Darcy Kulcsar all currently making their way through the reinsmans’ school.

Grout heads to Pinjarra tials on Wednesday 1st May to drive Follow My Stride, alongside Abbey Vidovich and Ajay Markham who will also be looking successfully add more trials to their resumes.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA