SKYE’S THE LIMIT FOR TALENTED YOUNG HORSEWOMAN

SKYE Regan could have had a successful career in either veterinary science or law.

But a passion for horses took her in another direction – and the young Central Coast horsewoman rode her first winner at Cobar picnics yesterday.

The 21-year-old daughter of successful Gosford trainer Kylie Gavenlock and former Sydney rugby league footballer and 1981 NSW Country RL Player of the Year Terry Regan, won the Trophy Handicap (1000m) on $2 favorite Chicken Legs, trained at Mendooran by Jane Clement.

And her Dad was there to cheer her home, breaking through at only her third day’s riding.

“I stayed home to look after the horses and the farm, and Terry, who was captain-coach out that way during his league career, drove out to see Skye ride,” an understandably proud Gavenlock said this morning.

“It was lovely that he was there to see Skye ride her first winner. It’s been a great weekend with our daughter, and he will come home today."

“Skye will be 22 in November, and is engaged to Binnaway farmer Jack Larkin. She drives an hour and 40 minutes every morning to ride trackwork for trainer Kieren Hazelton at

Gilgandra."

“Skye has always been able to ride, and went through pony club, jumping and campdrafting. She secured a scholarship in both veterinary science and law, and I tried to keep her away from the racing side of things. But she started riding trackwork in Year 11, and took to it straight away. She loves the horses, and was keen to have a crack at riding at the picnics."

“Terry and myself of course are very proud of her.”

Skye Regan launched her career at Wean picnics on July 11, finishing second twice from three rides.

Then she had two more rides at Trangie picnics a fortnight later, and was placed both times.

Skye had rides in five of the six races at Cobar yesterday, and five-year-old gelding Chicken Legs was her eighth career mount.

“I had a couple of celebratory drinks last night,” Gavenlock said.

“Now that Skye had ridden her first winner, she has to win a Picnic Cup. She has ridden in three of them so far, and finished second every time (including the Clement-trained Proclivity in yesterday’s Cobar Cup).”

Skye Regan was back in the saddle though not in a race at the Narromine Cup TAB meeting, riding former Queenslander Cooly Rocks for Kieren Hazelton in an 800m Open trial at the conclusion of the nine-race program.

STORY BY JOHN CURTIS, AUGUST 23, 2026.