Sarah O’Malley is no stranger to a comeback, and she completed another successful return to riding at Trentham on Saturday, guiding the Roger Allen-trained Subtle Tease to victory in the Happy Hire 1600.
A multiple Group Three-winning hoop, O’Malley stepped away from the sport in mid-August to have her second child, a son who was born in February. Just three months later, she was back in the saddle and riding at New Plymouth late last month.
The 25-year-old picked up a couple of placings over the past 10 days, and in pursuit of her first winner in 11 months, she gave Subtle Tease a perfect front-running steer in the Rating 65 contest.
The son of Nadeem was fresh-up since October and started at a quote of $48, but in the testing conditions, he proved too tough to get past, holding off Zanzibar by a short head.
O’Malley was rapt to get a win on the board, having worked hard over the past couple of months to reach race-fitness.
“I got told to go forward and she would only give as much as I gave, so it worked out how we thought and hoped it would,” she said.
“I had my son in February, so he’s just four months old now, and I’ve been pretty busy with the two kids. I’ve been trying to get fit since having him and it is hard to get race fit unless you’re out there riding.
“But I’ve got the love for it and it would be hard to give it up.”
With the support of friends, family and local trainers, including her husband Sam (O’Malley), she was able to get back in the saddle as soon as possible.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a friend come and babysit for me sometimes in the mornings, so I’ve been able to go and ride work for Bill (Thurlow) and Sam, and also for Kevin (Myers),” she said.
“My mum and sister have been looking after the kids while I’m at the jump-outs and races, I couldn’t do it without them as well.”
Despite also sustaining a couple of serious injuries in her career, O’Malley has 175 winners to her name including a Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), and she’s hoping to build up her connections heading into the new season. “I’m hoping the winners will keep coming, and hopefully I can get some of those connections back,” she said.