Major Moment for Ashleigh
“I still can’t believe that they want to put me on.”
This was an early response from young New South Wales driver Ashleigh Delosa after first being engaged to take the reins on outstanding mare Major Delight by trainer Emma Stewart.
Delosa had her first drive on the four-year-old in the listed Garrards Stylish Memphis Stakes, 1609m, at Menangle on July 20.
Major Delight coasted home - winning by 5.2m in 1:50.9.
“I didn’t know if it would be just the one-time thing or if she came back (to NSW) I might get a drive again,” Delosa said.
It certainly has not been a one-off.
Delosa has gone on to win on Major Delight in the Jane Ellen Free-For-All at Melton on July 27 and again at Menangle in the listed Norms Daughter Stakes when going a career-best 1:50.3.
Delosa’s relationship with Major Delight is about to get a whole lot bigger.
The 26-year-old will combine with the Peter Lewis-bred and owned Major Delight in the $2.1m The Eureka at Menangle on Saturday, September 7, for slot holder Team Zav.
If she wasn’t pinching herself when she first sat behind the mare, Delosa is now.
Delosa is originally from Queensland and her first venture into harness racing came when he landed a stablehand job with leading trainer Grant Dixon.
It was a whole new world for her.
“I've always liked horses and had experience with ponies, but knew nothing about harness racing.
"I knew I wanted to work with horses and then I saw an ad for a worker at a harness stable.
"I had no idea who Grant Dixon was until I did a bit of research.
"I spent two years working for Grant and learned so much along the way,” she said.
Delosa, who now works for leading NSW trainer Rickie Alchin, has said right through that it has been a big thrill to maintain the association with the 2023 Victorian 3yo filly of the year.
“She’s beautiful – she’s a big, strong mare.”
So for Delosa, The Eureka cannot come quickly enough.
