Return of the Mack for Taylah

By Jordan Gerrans

Stewart Mackinnon has proclaimed he will get more enjoyment out of watching his daughter Taylah flourish in the training ranks than any winner he ever prepared in his career.

The Mackinnon clan have been long-term stalwarts of the industry on the Sunshine Coast with many family members being involved with the sport over the decades.

After training in his own right in the area since 1995, Stewart went into a partnership with his daughter Taylah in the last few months of 2022.

Stewart had been conditioning horses at Caloundra for decades – preparing more than 50 metropolitan victories across his tenure.

Since late 2022, the father-and-daughter team have enjoyed city success from their Caloundra base.

When the racing calendar ticked over to season 2024-25, the partnership ended with Taylah taking the reins of the ‘family business’.

Edging closer to his 70^th birthday, Stewart says his passionate daughter is ready to lead the stable into the future.

“It was always the plan,” Stewart said.

“I wanted to make sure that Taylah really wanted to do it and she has shown she has the work ethic and even just the mental toughness to be able to handle the grind of it all.

“We have always worked as a team when she was growing up, her helping me as a trainer.”

Taylah has not wasted any time since going out alone, picking up a pair of winners on her home deck at the start of last month.

Both ridden by Nikita Beriman, Fly Fifer broke through for a maiden victory just days after Ring Bearer claimed a Wednesday city race at Caloundra.

Ring Bearer is nominated for the Benchmark 68 Handicap over 2000 metres at Doomben on Wednesday.

“Now, it is my time to help her,” Stewart said.

“I have had my turn and it is time to help Taylah to succeed basically. I get more enjoyment out of helping her train winners than anything.”

Stewart kicked off his training career in New Zealand before relocating to Australia in 1987.

He worked alongside the late great Bruce McLachlan before moving to Caloundra in 1995.

While the two winners to start the new season is a positive result for Taylah’s burgeoning team, it could have been much more prolific if a bit more luck had gone her way.

Since the start of August she has prepared seven runners to finish second.

On top of being mentored by her father, the 24-year-old Taylah has also spent time working for fellow Caloundra trainers Stuart Kendrick and Darryl Hansen.

“She has had a good grounding,” Stewart said.

“That was really good for her. It gives her the confidence with her decisions to get a couple of winners quickly as she has done.

“I think it is important that she can build slowly in numbers.”

The Mackinnon stable have around 10 gallopers in work.

Taylah’s brother Scott was also appointed as the new racecourse manager at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club in early August.

 After 23 years of dedicated service, Murray Weeding announced his decision to step down from his position as racecourse and facilities manager at the SCTC.

Scott was track foreman under Weeding before taking on the new gig.

He began his journey with the club in 2017 as an apprentice.