Based in Melbourne, this horse loving girl from Kalgoorlie has become a familiar face at Australian yearling sales and has a key role in the social media of Breednet.
This week we find out more about Maree McEwan, who has made a good career as a bloodstock/ social media consultant in the racing industry.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
I’m from a mining town in Western Australia called Kalgoorlie. From a non-horsey family, I somehow managed to become obsessed with horses from a young age and went through the pony club system and progressed to competing in dressage and show jumping.
When I moved to Perth as an 18-year-old I lived near Ascot racecourse and worked out I could get paid to ride racehorses while working at an accounting firm in the city as a day job.
It took some time (and a very patient trainer) for me to learn to ride a racehorse properly as everything was so different to equestrian horses, but it was a grounding that held me in good stead and allowed me to pursue a career within the industry.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Maree McEwan look like?
It depends on the time of year, but generally involves looking at horses, watching races, talking to people, being organised and following up on things. I’m very lucky in that I have a couple of different roles within the industry that keep me busy.
3 Who is your favourite horse and why?
Theanswermyfriend. He was such a tough racehorse with a genuine on-speed pattern and tempo, not always the easiest for his jockeys on race day and not an absolute superstar, but a lovely horse with a kind nature all the same.
He unfortunately retired due to injury and after being rehabilitated by his ownership group now has a lovely home as a nanny on a stud farm in South Australia.
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
Getting to meet Andrew Hoy at Flemington. He is an icon and his Olympic achievements are etched in history.
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
Landline.
6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?
Hong Kong.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
Does champagne count as cuisine?!
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
To go back to Newmarket. I was lucky enough to ride out for Sir Michael Stoute a number of years ago and Newmarket is absolutely the home and heart of horseracing, I’d love to go back again.
To own a Group 1 winner.
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
You never stop learning and, you can’t change the past.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I was a swimmer at state county level when I was younger.
