Episode 564: Ashlee Grives (nee Siejka) - Former top harness horse trainer/driver and gallops trainer transitioning into equine rehabilitation.

Ashlee enjoys a night out at a HRNSW Awards function - courtesy HRNSW.

Ashlee Grives nee Siejka left a big imprint on the NSW race driving scene with an impressive tally of 800 winners. She trained many of them in her own right. In more recent years Ash has dabbled in the training of thoroughbreds largely with online purchases. It’s well documented that she has won a race or two with most of them. During her years in the trotting game the gifted horsewoman worked as a veterinary nurse for the famous Randwick Equine Centre, spending much of her time assisting in the operating theatre. Her interest in the anatomy of the horse has remained with her ever since and played a part in her recent decision to go full time into Equine Rehabilitation. Ash joins us on the podcast to look back on her outstanding career in harness racing, a brief but successful stint as a gallops trainer and a recent transition into a brand new phase of her life.

The Bathurst born horsewoman talks about the grind of horse training and travelling in recent years, interspersed by the arrival of daughter Dulcie and son Reggie.

Ash believes she was beginning to identify the symptoms of “burn-out” after more than twenty years of non stop racing involvement.

She says her interest in rehabilitation work surfaced when friends asked her to try her methods on a handful of unsound horses. She produced some excellent results.

Ashlee outlines the procedure she intends to adopt on horses coming through her practice. Vets will be working with her throughout every programme.

She talks of the unwavering support of Ryan Grives, her husband of ten years. Ryan, a bricklayer by trade, knew little about horses but learned very quickly.

Ash takes us back to early days when her father Michael Siejka was working as a concreter in Bathurst and hobby training a handful of pacers before and after work. She was in the trotting sulky from an early age.

She says the defining moment came when her father sent her to Melbourne to look after a three year old he’d entered for the heats and final of the Victoria Pacing Derby. By the time the teenager was back in Bathurst she was completely sold on the harness sport.

Ash still laughs about her maiden race drive at Bathurst. She thought she’d followed Michael’s instructions to the letter and was bewildered by the blast that came her way.

The rising star made sure she didn’t make the same mistake on the same horse a couple of weeks later.

Ash talks about her first job away from horses. It didn’t take her long to realise office work was not for her.

She talks of a move to Sydney soon after, and an appointment as a veterinary nurse with the famous Randwick Equine Centre.

Ash says she had a couple of pacers in training during her time in Sydney. It wasn’t long before a handful of her veterinary colleagues joined the ownership of one of her horses - with happy results.

She remembers the thrill of being booked by leading trainer Paul Fitzpatrick to handle a talented mare in a race for all female drivers at Harold Park.

Ashlee looks back on her amazing season in 2009/2010 when she drove the staggering total of 160 NSW winners. Midway through that stellar term she became the first female to top 100 wins for a harness racing season in NSW.

We give Ashlee plenty of time to pay tribute to her all time favourite horse, and the best she’s ever driven. She takes us back to the Bathurst Yearling Sale in 2013 when she acquired a plain little filly for $3500. Ash recaps Ameretto’s stunning racing career and the horrific setback that would cost the bonny mare her life. In 2017 the unselfish decision was made to send Ameretto to champion Victorian trainer Kerryn Manning who would win ten more races with the daughter of Million Dollar Cam. In one special Gr 1 race Ash got the call to reunite with her wonderful mare.

Ash looks back on a great winning association with prominent Gold Coast owner Greg Brodie. One of the horses in question, a gelding called Lochinver won 24 races including the Truer Memorial.

The talented horsewoman acknowledges the deeds of a few other notable winners to come through her stables.

Ash touches on her brief stint as a thoroughbred trainer.

It’s a pleasure to announce the launch of a brand new career direction for a very gifted young horseperson.

On track interview with Sky’s harness racing commentator Fred Hastings - courtesy HRNSW.

Ashlee doubled as Rupertson’s strapper at Cootamundra 2023 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

Ashlee with husband Ryan and Kerryn Manning after Ameretto’s win in the Queen Of The Pacific at Melton - courtesy Stuart McCormick.

Ashlee won 17 races with Ameretto before transferring the mare to the Manning stable. Here she is after a Menangle win on her all time favourite - courtesy HRNSW.

Many of Ashlee’s wins have been recorded on her home track at Bathurst - courtesy HRNSW.

Ever observant Ashlee during a pre-race parade at Menangle - courtesy HRNSW.