Siobhan Miller, maybe not yet a household name like Frankie Dettori or AP McCoy, but is definitely a young jockey going places. In only a handful of rides she has impressed with her horsemanship and strength, during that time showing herself no slouch when taking on the boys. But who is Siobhan Miller? Hopefully after this article you will be able to answer that for yourself, as we look over how she got to here and what the future holds.
Miller grew up over the border in Scotland, in a town called Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire. As a girl she dreamt of working in fashion, a hobby she continues to this day, but as she grew older her interest in horse racing grew.
Before she turned her attention to racing she competed in Show Jumping at an affiliated level through ponies. This lasted for a year in which she competed in the pony club games still when only a child. It was after all this her focus changed to the real love of her life and what will one day become a career for her.
This is where it all began, like many jockeys in the sport today her roots are from pony racing. It was after this she found her inspiration within the sport, a certain Hayley Turner who herself was just catching the public's eye. Things were then taken to the next level and the real start of Miller's career.
This leads to the next chapter of her life when attending the Northern Racing College in Doncaster, the dream was in action. Things were about to pick up in a big way when she earned her first job in racing at Park House Stables, home of 2003 Oaks winning trainer Andrew Balding. During her time at the yard Miller was rewarded with her first ride, not for Andrew Balding but for Jamie Poulton.
On August 19th 2011 at Salisbury the public were introduced to Siobhan Miller in an Amateur Ladies race. Her mount that day was a grey 4 year old mare by the name of Push Me who at the time had two wins to her name. Miller was prominent early and as others around her fell away she made her move and hit the front 3 furlongs out. She led until just over a furlong out when tiring and edging left, eventually fading to finish fifth in a strung out field. That was her only ride aboard the mare. After a year with Andrew Balding she moved over to her current stable of David Simcock in Newmarket where she became an apprentice.
Watch her first ever ride here - http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/19-08-2011/salisbury/result/453521/savills-lady-riders-handicap-for-lady-amateur-riders/video
It was there at Simcock's yard Miller found the man of her dreams, he came in the form of the classy grey Glass Office. Since then she has looked after and become inseparable with him without riding him on the track yet. In September he won the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton under Jim Crowley leaving Miller overjoyed. But it is her riding that has caught my eye.
Since joining the Simcock yard Siobhan Miller has earned two regular rides the first of which being Dixie Gwalia. Partnering him a total of 8 times to date, coming placed on 3 occasions and finishing worse than 6th just once. It is her more recent partnership with the yard's Hierarch whom she has ridden only 4 times but to good effect. The last two times they have seen the track together (at Kempton and Lingfield) they have been touched off and settled for second. Most recently denied by a neck, beaten by Jack My Boy at Lingfield when up in the box seat most of the race.
Watch her most recent ride -http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/31-01-2013/lingfield-park/result/545875/follow-us-on-twitter-at-lingfieldpark-apprentice-handicap/video
Hierarch again ran today (5th February) at Wolverhampton in which he managed third, this run is best forgotten though. On the turn for home Miller was poised to strike before being broadsided leaving Hierarch unbalanced. She managed to get him running on again and he stayed on for a place late in the day. Its debatable but in my mind Hierarch looks more of a Lingfield styled horse and is definitely one to follow.
This leads us to the current day, what does the future hold for a 22 year old Siobhan Miller? Well unfortunately I cant see into the future, but I can predict that if she keeps working as hard as she has been to get here, Hayley Turner has a real rival on her hands. I asked Miss Miller what her ambitions and dreams are for her career, nobody says it better than herself. 'To become a successful jockey, internationally too. I would love to be the inspiration for young girls like Hayley Turner was for me coming Into the game.'
At this time I would like to take the chance to thank the lovely Siobhan Miller for helping me write this. I would 100% recommend following her on twitter, you can find her at @Shiv_Miller, if you have enjoyed this article drop by my page and say hi, @Lukeyboy1325. I will leave you with a question and answer session I shared with Siobhan and once again thank her.
> Favourite Racecourse? Ascot, but I'm sure wherever I have my first winner will be my new fav!
> Favourite Racehorse of all time? Sea the stars, as I watched him win the Guineas and had a Tenner on him (I wasn't a jockey then!)
> Favourite Racehorse running now? Glass office, I rode and looked after him since day one, he's my main man!
> Funniest guy/girl in the jockey room? Shirley Teasdale , always cracks a joke !
> Racing idol? Hayley Turner!
> Flat or Jumps? Flat of course! Although always love watching the big jump meetings!
> Royal Ascot or Cheltenham Festival? Have to be royal ascot!
> Do you have a party trick you are willing to share? Not a trick as such, but I'm very well known for falling over, can not walk in heels, even when sober!
> If I were to be generous and give you a tenner for one horse at Cheltenham, who would it go on? Long run! For some reason I love that horse.
> If you had the chance to ride any horse in all its races next season who would it be and why? Definitely via glory. He means a lot to the yard, and would be great to have plenty of opportunities to snatch up a win on him!
> Racing UK or Attheraces? Oh I can't choose, I'm forever flicking between the two!
> If you weren't a jockey what would you be? Fashion designer. Addicted to fashion, and was planning to go study it at college before I got into racing.
> Matt Chapman or Nick Luck? Matt chapman yeehaaaaaa
> Strictly or X Factor? Xfactor. Went on a few dates with a contestant.0, but he who shall not be named!! Haha
> Ryan Moore or Frankie Dettori? Ryan moore's riding is inspirational but Frankie is such a part in racing , and the only person who gets me star struck in the weighing room!
> Favourite sport other than Horse Racing? American bull riding, love watching it!
> First Car? Fiat punto!
> Favourite Band? Mumford and sons.
> Favourite Song? Empire State of mind, love it !
> Would you rather ride a winner at Royal Ascot, the Breeders Cup or the Dubai Carnival? Breeders cup as it is much more international fields, but I'd settle for a winner at any!
> Preferred drink on a night out? Disaronno & coke!
> And finally, as always, who is the longest in the shower? Have to be myself, oops! And I love to have a good sing a long in there too!!
> Nominate a jockey who I should next focus on? Shirley Teasdale!
Thank you very much for reading, hopefully this is the first of many like this, next on the list Shirley Teasdale, hopefully.
Thank you for reading
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