It’s not often the careers of a jockey and a horse align so closely.
But in the case of Robyn Freeman-Key and Famous Seamus, sharing milestones has become the norm.
On Saturday the pair will have a crack at their first Group race.
They have already combined for their first stakes test during the autumn carnival and at their third attempt in Listed grade last season were placed in the Civic Stakes.
Freeman-Key will jump aboard Famous Seamus in Saturday’s Shorts (1200m) at Randwick, thanks to trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith who has opted to keep her in the saddle.
It’s an opportunity that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the jockey.
“He’s the best horse I’ve ridden,” Freeman-Key said.
“I haven’t come across a horse like him in seven years so it’s good that someone has finally shown the confidence in putting me on, knowing I can do the job.”
The pair have combined three times in Listed races for a second, fourth and 13th.
Saturday’s Group Two race will be a step up in both careers, with both Freeman-Key and her horse out to prove they’ve got what it takes.
“(Famous Seamus) needs to be given the opportunity to see how good he is, see how far we can push him,” she said.
Freeman-Key has been aboard the four-year-old in all his nine race starts which have netted four wins and three placings.
She missed his most recent barrier trial due to a family funeral but described his current condition as “sensational”.
“He’s had a little bit of a holiday and he’s very fresh,” she said.
More familiar with provincial tracks, Freeman-Key will take on Randwick turf in the 1200m sprint, where the pair have drawn barrier 10 – a disappointment for connections.
“He likes to be ridden pretty close but I think with the speed that’s going to be in the race I can just imagine we’re going to be wide,” she said.
“It will be very disappointing if he doesn’t get a good run.”
Freeman-Key knows she’ll need a solid ride and a bit of luck to pull off the Group Two win against the strong field which includes last year’s Group One Golden Rose winner Manawanui, Rain Affair and Nobby Snip.
“He’s never come up against any of these types of horses,” she said.
“He’s fit, he’s well, wherever he runs he’ll be trying.”
Her riding career reflects his in more ways than one.
“When Famous (Seamus) starts running again people tend to come out of the woodwork and put me back on again,” she said.
“When he goes out for a spell it gets quiet again.”
