Liz Aalbers celebrates her 80th with a birthday bash

And it was no different on Boxing Day when Aalbers celebrated a special milestone.

She turned 80.

Dozens of industry participants including several former jockeys helped celebrate the occasion with a birthday bash in Racing Wodonga's members bar.

"I'm getting old, aren't I?," Aalbers said.

"But to be honest, it's not much different to when I was 79 at this stage.

"Everybody we invited was there apart from Jodie Bohr who had a horse racing at Albury.

"Her horse won as well, so that was good to see.

"The people that were there have been friends for decades.

"They were at my 50^th, 60^th, 70^th and now my 80^th.

"I had a few more Riccadonna's than usual to celebrate.

"Luckily I pulled up alright the next day because I made sure I had a few glasses of water before I went to bed to help dodge a hangover."

ALSO IN SPORT

Aalbers retired from training in 2018 after more than six decades as a trainer and jockey.

She still part-owns several horses.

"I've got a couple of horses with Chris Hyland," she said.

"I haven't been able to go down to Melbourne to watch them race because of COVID so I watch them on the TV.

"I've also got a couple of gallopers with Albury trainers as well.

"It's always a bit of fun.

"You've got to keep active and living, don't you?"

Aalbers is happily retired from training.

"I don't miss training because I did it for so long," she said.

"It can get a bit monotonous and I had had enough by the time I retired.

"I don't regret my decision at all."

Aalbers revealed she still can't sleep in after decades of getting up before dawn.

"I reckon the latest I've slept in to since I retired would be 7am," she said.

"Usually I get up at 5.30am and go for my morning walk.

"Then I sit in the spa for an hour to recover.

"I find it helps stop the bones creaking up and it's a daily ritual."

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