The Racing SA Stewards panel has welcomed two fresh faces with Hannah Matthews and Keely Rayson joining the team as Cadet Stewards.
Both Matthews (left) and Rayson (right) have grown up around horses and worked alongside the Racing SA Stewarding team in varying roles before taking up their new positions.
Matthews, 21, was a deputy race day steward with Racing SA before moving to Harness Racing SA, where she was a cadet steward for the past two years.
“My passion for thoroughbreds is due to both sides of my family being involved for the past three generations, as chief stewards, stewards, trainers, owners and strappers,’’ Matthews said.
And she has a desire to follow in her family’s footsteps.
“I am hoping to become a full-time steward in time,’’ Matthews said.
“I want to extend my knowledge and understanding of the racing industry, which will hopefully lead to possible future opportunities in overseas positions in the thoroughbred racing,” she said.
Rayson, 23, grew up at Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills and has a history with show horses before entering the thoroughbred industry.
“I began riding quite young and started competing show horses around the age of 13,’’ Rayson said.
“In the last few years I have become really intrigued and passionate about dressage which is now the direction I’m heading in and one day I hope to train horses up to Grand Prix level,’’ she said.
Having worked in a part-time role with the steward’s department for the past two years Rayson move to Cadet Steward was a natural progression.
“Being able to intertwine a passion for horses into a career made the decision to follow the stewarding path easy,’’ Rayson said.
“Stewarding can open many doors and pathways in the industry.
“Long-term I’d like to be working in an area specifically focusing on welfare and integrity, but I currently get to see a broad view of each aspect of the industry through being a steward.
“I am really excited to see where this career may take me,’’ she said.
