Raised in a horse-racing environment, Sally-Anne Marshall loves everything about a great day out at the country races.

 

Sally-Anne Marshall has a racing and fashion pedigree that made her an obvious choice as the inaugural Country Racing Victoria Fashion Ambassador.

 

Sally-Anne grew up in a racing family in Cranbourne, Victoria. Her stepfather Barry Burke trained horses, which her older sister Nikki Burke also pursued as a career.

 

Sally-Anne owned her first pony at the age of three and regularly strapped and rode trackwork for many trainers as a teenager. She dreamed of being a jockey, riding the winner in a major country cup. During this time Sally-Anne travelled to various country racecourses throughout Victoria, from Bairnsdale in the east to Mildura in the north-west.

 

However, the resulting injuries from a car accident at the age of 19 curtailled her ability to assist in the stables. Her dream of working in the racing industry appeared blocked, but another door did open. Sally-Anne was spotted by a professional photographer and began a career as a model.

 

In this new pursuit Sally-Anne quickly returned to the racecourse at any opportunity, regularly entering Fashions on the Field competitions throughout Australia. Sally-Anne has won Fashions on the Field competitions at several country race days including Kyneton, Moe, Horsham and her home track, Cranbourne.

 

At Cranbourne, an excited Sally-Anne sprinted along the stage in excitement when announced the winner in front of family and friends, the smile radiantly beaming.

 

In 2008 Sally-Anne married former champion jockey Simon Marshall, who she had known since they were kids roaming the stables at the feet of their parents. But it was no childhood sweetheart romance, the two discovering their love later in life.

 

Sally-Anne travelled to numerous country meetings last season, judging Fashions on the Field and offering tips where she could. Sally-Anne will continue her role through the 2009-10 racing season, with a list of meetings she'll be attending listed below.

 

"I love going to the country races and this role provides the perfect excuse to go to as many race days as possible," Sally-Anne said.

 

"Country racing is one of Victoria's best kept secrets. The setting is picturesque, the atmosphere more relaxed and you can see the horses up close.

 

"Dressing for the country races is far more fun too. You can wear a beautiful dress and hat, but don't have to trudge around in six-inch heels."

 

 

Saturday 10 October 2009             Manangatang Cup

Sunday 11 October 2009               Cranbourne Cup

Thursday 15 October 2009            Moe Cup

Saturday 17 October 2009             Avoca Cup

Sunday 18 October 2009               Seymour Cup

Wednesday 21 October 2009        Geelong Cup

Saturday 24 October 2009             Yarra Valley Cup

Sunday 25 October 2009                Sale Cup

Wednesday 28 October 2009         Bendigo Cup

Sunday 1 November 2009               Peninsula Cup @ Mornington

Tuesday 3 November 2009             TBC

Wednesday 4 November 2009        Kyneton Cup

Thursday 5 November 2009            Pakenham Oaks Day

Sunday 8 November 2009               Ararat Cup

Saturday 14 November 2009           Dunkeld Cup

Sunday 29 November 2009             Wodonga Cup