Young Guns Series: Sammy Kilgour

Involved in the industry from a young age, Sammy Kilgour recently moved back to New Zealand with her fiancé and Group One winning driver Joshua Dickie and quickly got her name on the training tables with her trotting filly Loteria. We caught up with Sammy, to learn more about the ‘Aussie’ girl who has made New Zealand home.
 

What was your earliest memory in the standardbred industry?
When I was little, I used to love going to Moonee Valley every week with my Mum. She was a racing writer for Best Bets.


What has been your favourite highlight(s) so far?

Oh, that’s hard. I have a few. Winning the Miracle Mile with Baby Bling and the Hunter Cup with Bling It On was incredible, but also driving my first winner on The Cavalier was also pretty special.
 

What do you look for when buying a yearling?
Type is always important. A nice strong head, and obviously a nice enough page helps too!
 

Do you have any favourite stallions?
American Ideal.
 

Since moving to New Zealand, there have been a number of new incentives and boosts to harness racing. What are your thoughts on them?
Incredible. It’s an exciting time to be involved in the sport here in NZ, especially as a young trainer. There is just so much more opportunity and positivity around.
 

What race do you dream of winning?
The New Zealand Derby. Hopefully I can find and get our hands on that winner this year.
 

Who do you look up to in the industry?
Theres two. David Aiken. I did a stint with ‘Aik’ when I was younger and he taught me so much. I still often refer back to things he did. The second is Barry Purdon. He’s an unbelievable conditioner of a horse. I’m in awe of him as a person, and of his achievements on the track!
 

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Don’t sweat the small stuff!
 

What advice would you give to a young person looking to be more involved in the standardbred industry?
Respect, work hard, and be patient. It will go a long way.
 

How do you relax away from work?  
I love a nap, and I’m a big fan of scrolling on TikTok!
 

We look forward to catching Sammy at the sales with selling kicking off at Karaka on Saturday 15 February from 1pm (NZT). Attention will then turn to the Canterbury Agricultural Park where selling begins on Tuesday 18 February at 11am (NZT).

All horses purchased at the Sale are eligible for NZB Standardbred’s lucrative Harness Million Sales Race Series. The Series consists of principal two-year-old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies and trotters individually, where NZB Standardbred graduates can contest for their share in a one million dollar prizepool.

As a non-Group One winning trainer as of 1 January, Sammy also qualifies as a Next Gen Trainer. For more about the Next Gen Series, read here.