You can't get more local than Danni Schreck: born in Gragin, schooled in Warialda, studied at Armidale's UNE, and has now lived in Inverell for the best part of two decades.
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So for her to win her very first race as an owner and trainer right here on home turf was "surreal".
"I am still super excited, it all seems a little surreal," she told the Times.
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Schreck took home a win with Frivolosophy in race number 4 at the Inverell racetracks on Saturday, to the rapturous applause and screaming cheers of family and friends.
"I was so nervous, I had the four [horses] running, but the Inverell team of trainers were so helpful," she enthused.
"That's what I find with the Inverell team, they're great, really fantastic, and I'm so appreciative."
Schreck was full of praise for the rider, an apprentice and "lovely young guy" called Jacob Golden from Moree.
"He was brilliant, he's a really nice kid, and I'm so grateful," she said.
"This was the first opportunity for him to ride for me, but everything fell into line this time, it was perfect."
The local woman always had horses in her blood, and when her hopes of becoming a jockey were dashed as a young girl, "I was too tall and too heavy", the passion remained undimmed.
"My uncle was head of Australia Racing for a long time," she explained.
"I started doing some strapping for one of the trainers in Inverell. It all went from there."
She married a jockey, Scott Sweedman, bought a few horses herself, and then thought she'd give training a go.
Sweedman was riding another of her horses, Sassy Sarah, during the same race.
"I get to boss him around and tell him what to do, it's great," she laughed.
But Frivolosophy, paddock name 'Sophie', is sitting pretty after bringing home the bacon.
Purchased in July, she was sent to a spelling farm but was brought back when Schreck purchased a local property.
"She's a beautiful little girl, great temperament, and is a real little work horse. She really wants to please you and really tries hard, every times she runs she wants to work."
Schreck has plans to race in Goondiwindi next, and is seeing how things pan out after that. But with one home ground win under her belt, her eyes are set firmly on the next.
"One of these days, I'd just love to win a race at Warialda."
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