By Casey O'Connor
A veteran and an apprentice shone at the 2023 Stanthorpe Cup on Saturday at Armstrong Park.
Top Babe, trained by 71-year-old Beaudesert trainer Ron Drysdale and ridden by apprentice jockey Colleen Krahnen came home to win give the 25-year-old apprentice, who has only had her jockey’s licence since June, and self-confessed “Battler” Drysdale their first cup win.
Despite some handy recent form in races in Gatton and Kilcoy, Top Babe unwanted in the betting and started at $31 despite carrying only 51kgs with her jockey’s claim. Perhaps if punters had been aware of Krahnen’s background, they may have shown a little more interest.
Colleen Krahnen may have only recently earned her jockey’s licence, but she has plenty of experience in the saddle and is quite unique in the racing industry.
An accomplished Endurance Race rider, she has won two national titles and travelled the world representing Australia in the discipline. Krahnen, whose mother also represented Australia in endurance in the USA, joked she has been on horses since before she could walk.
Krahnen often competed in 80 klm events and in some bigger races riding up to 160 kms and beyond. The 1500 metres of the Stanthorpe Cup was never going to be an issue, at least for the jockey.
The apprentice hoop also still competes in show jumping events and has her own horses.
It is fair to say Krahnen is a high achiever in all facets of her life revealing she is only weeks from completing her Masters Degree in Architecture. She has already completed a Bachelor of Design majoring in Architecture, with a distinction.
Riding track work in the morning began as a way to help pay the bills while she was studying.
“I always wanted to be a jockey – from day one – but obviously all this can be time consuming,” Krahnen said. After so much endurance riding, she says was uncertain if she could develop the skills to become a jockey.
Her love of horses and the construction industry have always sat side-by-side and she said she can’t pick a favourite.
After the Cup presentation Krahnen, who is apprenticed to Mark Palmer in Beaudesert, said, “I am thrilled to win for Ron.”
“It is my first ride on the mare and my first Cup win and my first race day double (Krahnen also won the first race).
“Stanthorpe Cup Day will always be special.”
Krahnen said the mare travelled nicely throughout the race and handled the track well.
Ron Drysdale was jubilant in the enclosure after the race and said he has been “mucking about with horses for years” and has only a handful of horses in work in Beaudesert.
He purchased the six-year-old mare, Top Babe as a tried horse in 2022 offering his son a share in the horse which was previously trained by Peter Nolan in Toowoomba.
Brisbane visitor Shaun Power was also over the moon after the win.
He and a group of mates made the trip to Stanthorpe for the first time and attended the Calcutta on Friday night.
“I bought lots of tickets in the Calcutta and didn’t have any luck,” he said.
“I had to get a horse in the Cup, so I bid for Top Babe.”
