Sassy Victorian pacer Yankee Mojoh (American Ideal) wasn’t meant to race again – but not only is the tough little mare back at the track, she’s back in the harness racing winners’ stall.

“Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think she would race again,” jubilant part-owner and trainer Julie Brimacombe said after the filly known as “Mo” scored at Mount Gambier on Tuesday night (Feb 17), her second win since an unlikely racing comeback.

“Mo is just so determined and full of spirit. It’s just such a credit to her.”

Purchased as a yearling from Benstud Standardbreds by Julie and her husband Darren, Yankee Mojoh, now aged six, has had 21 starts for two wins and eight placings – statistics that tell only part of her story.

An injury that almost ended her career came in a freak accident in the Yankee Mojoh’s two-year-old season. She fractured her near side front leg after reacting to bot flies in her paddock at the Brimacombe property in the southwest Victorian town of Elliminyt, near Colac.

“She hates bot flies and down here they are really bad, particularly in January,” Brimacombe said.

“At the time she was with a paddock mate.

“She just went straight up in the air with all four hooves off the ground and when she came down, she’d fractured her front leg.

“We gave her a pain killer straight away, but she was still only a baby and we wanted to try and save her.”

Surgery for “Mo” involved putting four bolts in the fractured leg.

“Then she was confined for three months in a small stable box. After that she was in a small yard for two months, then a bit bigger area and finally out in a paddock,” Brimacombe said.

The long rehabilitation required vigilance and plenty of patience. Brimacombe said the leg was constantly monitored and while racing was never considered initially, the filly had other ideas.

“She was in a paddock on the inside of our training track and would follow us around -we think she was kind of saying ‘it’s all good, let me get back to the racetrack!” she said.

“It was heart-in-mouth stuff when we were at the vets. But they gave us the green light, and there was a long and slow prep getting her back.”

Her first start back came at Cranbourne in August 2024 – and it was immediately clear the fighting spirit remained.

“Mo” ran second, driven by Jackie Barker, finishing just two metres behind Myshania.

“I was so emotional seeing her back. But it was ‘big cry times’ when she won at Cranbourne at her next start seven days later, when Jackie drove her again,” she said.

“There’s no denying she has a bit of attitude which we think helped her, but It’s been a real team effort getting her back. They say it’s teamwork that makes the dream work, and it’s thanks to all of our team at Stable Standards, who have been on Mo’s journey.

“Tahlia Sell is amazing with attention to detail and provides all the love and care for our horses. Bailee Rowarth does the early morning feeding before heading off to do Year 12 at school. And Vanessa at New Life Laser Therapy does a lot of work with our horses to keep them happy and healthy.

“It was such a long road to recovery, but I think ‘Mo’ wanted to prove how tough she is.

“And I don’t need to tell you – every year since she’s been covered in spray whenever the bots are about.  She hates them.”

Yankee Mojoh’s latest victory at Mount Gambier capped what Brimacombe describes as a pleasing run of form for the stable.

“Our team has hit a little purple patch which is nice, but we are fortunate that all of them try,” Brimacombe said.

Unable to attend the Mount Gambier meeting in person, Brimacombe watched from home – with typical enthusiasm.

“I watched it on TV and I think the neighbors knew we had success because I do cheer loudly! I tend to get a bit carried away, but I just make sure I never have the overhead fan on now – I had a close call one time when I was jumping about! she laughed.

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink