Sharni Webster has done a back flip.
The 27-year-old is soon to embark on a new career path.
Webster makes her riding debut at Kalgoorlie on Good Friday.
Perth’s newest apprentice continues a rich family heritage in the goldfields.
That Webster has turned to racing should come as no major surprise really, it was just a matter of time before the racing bug got to her.
With two university degrees and not far from completing a third, Webster had a change of heart and decided to enter the racing world.
Webster has big shoes to fill; her family is Western Australian racing royalty.
Her dad, Glenn Webster, was a former trainer and bookmaker.
Her grandfather, Graeme Webster Sr was a former top jockey and renowned for his great association with two WA turf greats: Ngawyni and Asian Beau.
Webster Sr’s wife, Maureen is the daughter of Ted McAuliffe, an iconic horseman that was inducted into the 2019 WA Racing Hall of Fame.
His list of major race credits includes the Perth Cup, Railway Stakes, WA Derby, WA Oaks, WA Guineas and Karrakatta Plate
Webster’s uncle is Neville Parnham, who with 14 premierships, has won more Perth trainer titles than anyone else.
Webster’s cousins are Parnham’s three jockey sons, riding champions Steven, Brad and Chris.
The Webster-McAuliffe-Parnham family are titans of WA racing.
They’ve celebrated decades of success and collectively have enjoyed distinguished careers.
Despite her late start, Webster had an inkling she would be following in their footsteps
She’s now just days away from beginning an exciting new chapter in her racing story.
When she does, she’ll have proud family members watching closely.
“I’ve grown around horses and racing all my life,” Webster said to Racing WA.
“I was always at the races consistently as a kid.
“I obviously have the three cousins related to the Parnham’s.
“Chris and myself are the same age and we kind of grew up as brother and sister.
“But I wasn’t hands on or involved until I dated Mack Hall.
“He’s a young trainer and been a massive help.
“When he started breaking in horses, I thought what better time to learn to ride horses.
”I had gone this far in life being so involved with horses but never learnt to ride.
“It annoyed me a little that I couldn’t ride
“It kind of went from there and I fell in love with it.
“My weight was ok, and it became a possibility.
“I definitely want to have a crack at it now.
“I don’t want to put a time frame on it, just see what happens.”
Aside from the family link, another driving force that’s motivated Webster is the increasing role played by women in Australian racing.
For many years, particularly in the riding ranks, the sport was dominated by men.
Women were only allowed to participate in professional racing in Australia in the 1970s.
In modern times female jockeys are more than holding their own against their male counterparts, regularly competing successfully against them.
Female participation numbers are rising year on year.
Since Michelle Payne’s inspirational Melbourne Cup victory there’s been a surge in females taking up the sport.
Closer to home Lucy Fiore, Holly Watson, Jade McNaught and Kyra Yuill have been standard bearers in Perth.
Webster said it’s a good time to be entering the industry.
“Without being sexist, when I was growing up there were no female jockeys,” Webster said.
“In my head it was a definite no-no.
“It’s changed now, and we are kind of dominating.
“I just want to see how far I can push myself, what my capabilities are.
“I’ve always been a sporty kid growing up, so I’ve got that competitive side.
“I’m excited to be involved and to have my own name in the family history.”
Webster is sticking solid to family ties with Neville Parnham her host trainer.
The WA Hall Of Famer has been instrumental in guiding and mentoring a host of young riders throughout his decorated career.
His experience and knowledge are a massive resource to tap into as Webster prepares for the cut and thrust of racing.
There are many ingredients to being a successful rider but the demands on the body and mind cannot be understated
There’s the balancing act of being physically fit and mentally focused.
With her maturity and background, Webster is as well placed as anyone to appreciate the discipline required to carve out a successful riding career.
She has the backing and support of her uncle, but the hard work has only just commenced.
Despite the family connection, Webster won’t be afforded any favours.
“He can be a tough boss,” Webster said.
“That’s his style and manner.
“But I know he is that way because he wants me to do well.”
When Webster enters the jockey room in Kalgoorlie, she goes in as a novice, a beginner, but with an insatiable appetite to learn.
It’s that attitude and commitment to learning that served her well when doing the hard yards as a tertiary student at university.
Webster's dedication and application to her studies are skills that can be applied to racing.
“I did sports science and exercise and health at UWA,” Webster said.
“I worked from that in a medical centre for a couple of years and worked alongside nurses.
“I thought I may as well do that, and I have about six units left for a nursing degree.
“I deferred for a year because it’s always something good to fall back onto.
“I would be stupid if I didn’t finish it.”
Webster can’t wait to put her riding skills to the test on Friday.
As the meeting gets closer, her nerves and excitement are growing.
“I think it’s good nerves,” Webster said.
“I’m okay for now, but it could be a different story behind the gates on Friday.
“I’m very excited.”
Julio Santarelli