Horse racing has always been a big part of Ann McHardy’s life.
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So it comes as no surprise to those who know her that she has become the first woman to join the Albury Racing Club committee in its 133-year history.
McHardy, alongside Glenn Chapman, Wayne Mastinos and Rod Mullavey, was one of four additions to the committee at last month’s annual general meeting.
The mother of two can’t wait to start her new role.
“One of my primary reasons for wanting to get on the committee was because I know a lot of women in the industry that have got a lot to contribute,” she said.
“I feel I can put some new ideas and suggestions forward.
“Not that the race club isn’t already doing a tremendous job, it (just) doesn’t hurt to have a female perspective.
“It’s not just about fashions on the field, although that is important, but also being involved in the horses, and it is such a fascinating industry as a whole.”
McHardy’s association with horses spans more than 30 years.
She moved to Albury in the mid 1980s with her husband Roger, who was a prominent Albury- Wodonga business leader.
Roger also served on the Albury Racing Club committee before he died in 2006 at the age of 53.
“I have been involved in racing in some capacity for most of my life,” McHardy said.
“My husband, Roger, who passed away eight years ago, was heavily involved in the races and served on the committee for several years.
“After he passed away I had to make a decision whether I continue with it or to start again.
“So I started afresh, got new broodmares and new stallions.”
McHardy has been the chief executive officer of the Albury Day Surgery for the past 23 years and also recently became the chief executive of the Riverina Day Surgery, which opened in Wagga a couple of months ago.
She has bred and raced horses from her property, “Harcourt Park”, located near Albury Airport.
Ceccanti, a winner during the Albury Gold Cup Carnival last year, has been her best performed horse so far.
“We have sent Ceccanti to Eliza Park to be serviced by Fiorente,” she said.
“Our other broodmare is also there and is being serviced by Magnus.”
Magnus was a winner of the group 1 AJC Galaxy and is by Flying Spur from the blueblood broodmare Scandinavia, the dam of Black Caviar’s dam Helsinge.