Mia Holbrough - new kid on the block

In only her fourth race day drive, nineteen year old junior harness racing driver Mia Holbrough put runs on the board with her first win at the Banks Peninsula meeting on Sunday driving Crazy N Love (Love You) for her employers Greg and Nina Hope.

“It was unreal. It was good to have Kerryn (Tomlinson) and everyone in the birdcage when I came back,” Mia said.

Born and bred In Christchurch and educated at Burnside High School Mia represented Canterbury in age group netball and became interested in harness racing at a young age.

“I’ve been going out to Amanda Tomlinson’s since I was little so that’s how I got into harness racing. I started doing Kidz Kartz with Amanda and moved into driving some of her racehorses. I also helped out Bruce Negas when I was still at school. I was driving quite a few and I got my trials license.”

CRAZY IN LOVE REPLAY

When she left school Mia headed south to work for Oamaru trainer Brad Williamson.

“I worked there for about a year and a half. I loved it down there but got a bit homesick so I moved back up to Canterbury about three months ago. I drove Brad’s good trotter Krackaling (What The Hill) and I had a bit to do with Kracka Looka (Father Patrick).”

Mia had thirty five trial drives before she got her license.

“I drove a few nice ones at the trials like Homebush Lad (Mach Three) and he gave me a nice feel. I came back to Christchurch with no real job lined up. I was with Kerryn one day and she rang Ben (Hope). He said they’d just had a full-time staff member leave, so it all worked out pretty well really. I really love it on the beach especially when it’s a nice day, driving a horse on the beach. There’s nothing better.”

Mia says she hasn’t been asked to drive star trotter Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill) yet but she’s driven Midnight Dash (Muscle Hill).

“Greg and Nina have been great and so supportive of my driving, and I can’t thank them enough.”

Short term she’d love to be eligible for the New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship.

“That’s my next goal. That’ll be really cool.”

Mia’s father Steve Holbrough worked for Jack Carmicheal for eighteen years as a stable hand. Steve now delivers tyres for the Tyre General who are Mia’s sponsors.

“He’s become friends with Vinnie and Allen Neuman (owners of the Tyre General) and asked them if they’d sponsor me.”

So Mia Holbrough is underway. Expect to see more of her on the racetracks, especially round Canterbury.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink