FRANCES HOULAHAN

 

Date of Birth: 21 June 1958.

Town where born: Melbourne, Victoria.

How did you get into racing? Through family interest.

First Winner/Track (flat and jumper): Silk Son (jumper and flat).

Favourite Track (and why): Mornington, great steeplechase track and because I have won lots of races there and it is just across the road.

Best thing about being a jumps trainer: Getting results for hard work.

Worst thing about being a jumps trainer: Working hard for no result.

Best jumper you’ve trained: Suede Boy (Hiskens Steeple 1981).

What is the best jumper you would have loved to have trained: Strasbourg - all time favourite horse.

Who is the best jumping rider you have seen? Matt Van Strien.

What is the best race you have witnessed? Moon Chase/Von Doussa best display of jumping and the Grand Annual in 2002 as the most competitive.

What is your best win on the flat? Red Nile/Mannerism Stakes.

Outside of racing what are you most passionate about? Horses in general, my dog, photography and travel.

What is your training career goals? To win more feature/group races.

What is the strangest (amusing or serious) experience you've ever had in racing? Having a float company take my horses to the wrong race meeting.

Would you like to tell us something about your family (partner, children, parents etc.)?

Happily married to Brian Johnston for 22 years. We have two great kids, Patrick 19 and Amy 17.