SA Horseracing recently took time out to find out more about the dynamic Nicolette Roscoe as a part of a series on prominent women in the horse racing industry.

How did you hear about the sport of horseracing and when can you first remember wanting to become a involved in the game?
During my school days a did a lot of show jumping. When I finished matric I was not sure what I wanted to do exactly. I new I want to work with horses. I heard about a spelling farm in Summerveld that was looking for people to work and look after yearlings. So I went for a enter view and from there I started working and learning about yearlings and how to break them in. That was the spelling far of Maurine Baitz.

Under whom did you learn the trade?
I worked on the spelling farm for 6 months and heard that Jonny Dawson who was a trainer in summerveld was looking for young people to work in his yard. So off I went to work there. Learned properly how to ride race horses. That was the start of my career.

Who, if anyone, has inspired you in racing?
The most person who inspired me over the last 20 yrs was Alistair Gordon. I learnt a lot being his yard.

Who do you need support from needs to in order to be successful in this game?
You need to have the quality of horses today and the staff I think is important to have and you need need owners to support you.

How many horses are you looking after at the moment?
In the yard of Dean Kannemeyer here in Durban we have 36 horses.

What are some of the best horses you have helped to train or currently train? When I worked with Johnny Dawson we had horses like BOND / GIRL ON A SWING / and a Filly called Please Be TRUE. With Alistair Gordon he had a few good horses but the one that stood out the most was MONKS HOOD.

What was your most memorable day in racing?
My most memorable day was when Monks Hood won the Dingaans and the Guineas, at the awards he won champion 3yr.

Your current highest rated horse in Kzn.
We knew we had a nice horse in Natal but you can only know when you travel. So we wanted to go to Cape Town for the season but about a week before he was due to go he got hurt in the paddock. Which set him back so we missed the Cape Season. So got him back on track for Jhb Season. Traveled to Jhb for Dingaans which he won. Brought him back home. Then a month later we went back to Jhb for the Guineas which he won. What a achievement. But he was such a layed back horse to travel.

Where is your favourite racetrack?
My favorite course was Clairwood. A very fair track for everyone. Even bad draws you could win from.

At Greyville the poly track has had mixed reactions over the years are you in favor of it as a racing surface or not?
The poly has helped for not missing meetings but if you do not draw well on the poly it makes it very hard to win or run places.

Have you ever felt prejudiced against in racing as a result of being a woman? No. As they always say a woman has a touch on horses but its dominated by men.

What would you like to see changed in racing?
Yes a change in racing would be great ,if people would come to the courses today ,but because of totes off course and Tele betting its easier for people to bet without leaving their comfort zones, So the race courses are dead.

What advice would give a someone keen in getting involved in racing, either as a trainer or as an owner, especially females?
It's a a very hard game to come in. It must be a passion as it takes a lot of your time and early mornings. So if you not a early riser this game is not for you.