It just so turned out that the first day on the job for Racing SA’s new Industry Regulatory Veterinarian Simone McColgan was one of South Australia’s biggest race days – the running of the $1 million Group 1 The Goodwood.
Simone had only arrived in Adelaide two days earlier but wouldn’t have wanted her initiation into SA racing any other way.
“I couldn’t think of a better day to jump on board, it was a fantastic opportunity to see SA racing at its prime,” said Simone.
Simone accepted the position of Racing SA Chief Vet after Toby Koenig moved to the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia. For the past three years Simone has been a Regulatory Veterinarian at Racing NSW.
She has a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Murdoch University and has specialised in equine veterinary practice since graduating.
Simone’s love of horses started young, growing up on her grandfather’s thoroughbred property in New South Wales.
The keen equestrian has competed and worked both in Australia and overseas; from modern equine hospitals in Sydney to polo fields in Argentina, show jumping at the LA International and volunteer work on remote islands in Indonesia.
Simone always thought her career would lead her to being a surgeon, but fell in love with the racing industry after doing some casual work as a Race Day Veterinarian in the Northern Rivers during Covid times.
“My grandfather bred racehorses and I grew up on his property on the outskirts of Sydney where he spelled his thoroughbred and standardbred horses and foaled down his mares. I used to spend my holidays on a stud up in the Hunter Valley following around the vet, stable staff and trainers, learning as much as I could.”
“I have a passion for racing, having attended race meets with my grandfather from a young age, but I never envisioned myself becoming a regulatory vet. When I started working in racing, I was hooked, I found that the people within the industry are equally as passionate about horses and racing as I am - there’s something addictive about it and I love it,” said Simone.
