As the sun sets on Women’s Month we chat to 27-year-old Lucinda Woodruff.
A South African horseracing blue-blood in every sense, ‘Lulu’, as she is affectionately known to those closest to her, is our newest lady trainer.
There’s no question that this lifetime equestrian has giant boots to fill. Late Granddad Terrance was a legend. Dad Geoff was five times SA Champion.
But that’s not pressure for a woman who knows what she is doing, and where she is going.
Lucinda with her charge – Worlds Your Oyster – ready for the Cape Summer Season
“I’m very excited that more and more women are breaking into the training scene. I am personally so thankful for the opportunity to become a trainer myself, and It feels really good to have my licence – although it has probably come a bit sooner than I anticipated.”
In typically modest fashion, Lucinda concedes that she is blessed to have been backed by some incredible owners and rather lucky to have started her training career so young.
“Training has always been my biggest ambition in life. From a young girl all I wanted was to become a racehorse trainer. With both my father and grandfather having been successful trainers, I had the benefit of being brought up in the racing industry from the get-go. I’m very privileged to take over the yard from my father and it really is a dream come true,” she says with a smile.
Lucinda has worked at her Dad’s satellite yard at Milnerton for some time.
“We have some lovely horses coming through at the moment. My string for the Cape summer season includes Worlds Your Oyster, who will run in some of the minor sprints. He is a six-time winner already! I also have a lovely 4yo stakes-placed filly, Maledimo, who could potentially be a Gr1 performer. She has recently recovered from a second throat operation. All is going well, and I am looking forward to the sprint/mile races for her in the coming season.”
She proudly tells that her old faithful Retro Effect will be aiming at the stayer’s races again this year.
“He really is an amazing little horse. He’s missed a decent amount of racing of late due to a ligament injury which he suffered again on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate day. We successfully nursed him back from that and he has had two very good comeback runs,” explains Lucinda.
She also is excited about a number of her 3yo’s that are making their way through the ranks. She expects that a few of them will start putting their hands up towards the middle of the season, as they are more of the classic type horse.
Lucinda returned home from the August Two Year Old Sale with 8 youngsters (Pic- Candiese Lenferna)
Lucinda returned home to the Mother City from the BSA August Two Year Old Sale with eight youngsters, including three lots from the Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud, and a pair from Ascot Stud.
Her top bid of the second day was Lot 213, a striking colt by What A Winter out of Upon A Dream.
“I had a really great sale! I’m so thankful to my two new owners who have backed me in such a big way. It has been such a great help, especially since I’ve just taken out my licence. All eight horses will be returning with me to Cape Town. How exciting is that!” she reflects after a busy sale weekend.
Being a third-generation trainer, Lucinda has been around racehorses long enough to have learnt a trick or two.
“I always try and go above and beyond, giving each horse my individual and undivided attention. We are a relatively small yard, which allows me to give each individual the time and attention they need. I also sometimes enjoy a tricky horse. I love the challenge, taking different approaches in bringing out the best in every horse.”
Lucinda has also come to realise that taking time away from racing is important, too. Spending ‘me time’ with her three dogs and her showjumper, Rivendell Baldor, is her way of unwinding.
Lucinda & Baldor are training hard for the Western Cape Showjumping Champhionships
“Baldor is my great escape from all the pressures of racing – I am very lucky to have him. At the moment we are competing at an open level. My goal for this year is to compete in the Western Cape Showjumping Championships, which comes up in November. We are training hard and I am looking forward to our future successes together.”
Lucinda has a message to all the women who are working their way through the ranks of the racing industry:
“Be strong, committed and always believe in yourself. No matter what. You can do it!”
Please click on the cover of the SPRINT to read more
