THERE’S not many people let alone drivers that can say they have given the three time Inter Dominion winning champion I’m Themightyquinn a workout, however Lauren Jones can.
Having studied Graphic Design and Art, graduating from Gatton State School in 2012 and despite having a qualification in Hospitality, Jones decided that being in the gig was too good an opportunity and decided to take up driving horses as a career instead.
After finishing third when representing Queensland in the 2011 Mini Trotting Championship Event held at Alexandra Park and spending her sweet sixteenth birthday in Auckland, Jones travelled home to Rockhampton with the determination to continue her success within the equine industry.
Jones is no stranger to the industry, having completed all of her years in the pony trots and being the daughter of well-known trainer and her biggest role model, Peter Jones. From a young age Jones would help out her father and admittedly has him to thank for pushing her in the right direction and leading her to the success she has today.
Jones enjoyed her first winner on the Sanderson trained Old Golden Black at Gold Coast in 2013 and it was in the same year that she won the Ipswich West Young Drivers Championship.
In late December 2013, Jones came across an advert on Trading Ring for employment at a leading training stable in Western Australia. After applying for the job, Jones received a call from Clinton Hall offering her the position. Jones made the move to WA from her hometown Lockyer Waters in February 2014 to join the famous ‘Hall Camp’ and made her WA debut on Vapour who was also her first winner in the West. She hasn’t looked back since.
It’s no surprise that Jones has the amount of knowledge in the industry that she does. Having worked for three of the best trainers in Queensland with Shane Sanderson, Shane Graham, Peter & Chantelle McMullen and now proving herself in Western Australian with Gary Hall Snr.
Among the thirteen doubles Jones has driven lies one very memorable outing. On the same day as the race that stops the nation, not only did she drive a double, she also drove her 100th winner. The milestone came on the David Thompson trained It’s a Monet in 2015.
With 139 driving winners to her name thus far, 120 of them being since her arrival in the west, Jones is very grateful for the opportunities that trainers have given her, including her first Group One drive with Classic American in the Golden Nugget, finishing fourth. Since the Golden Nugget, Jones has competed in 46 other Group and Listed races.
Although a regular driver for the Hall Camp, Jones also picks up smart drives with the likes of Bettor Offer, Ima Tragedy, Phoenix Warrior and Delightful Offer for Team Bond and is very thankful for the support she receives from both Greg and Skye.
Admitting how challenging it is to mix it with the boys, Jones still receives support and guidance from her long-term partner, trainer/driver Kyle Harper and together they have enjoyed Metropolitan success with horses such as Springsteen.
In her four years of driving so far, Jones has competed in several driving championships and series, and although very dominant as a female driver, Jones wants to explore the training aspect of harness racing as well. Having already had a taste of training success with her first love Josscotay, she has a new project in her Advance Attack gelding Combat Crusade who is set to engage the race track in around twelve weeks’ time.
Best horse driven: Machtu
Best track driven at: Gloucester Park
If you could have dinner with any one person who would it be: Pink
If you weren’t a driver what would you be: Interior Designer or Architect
Best looking person in harness racing: Kyle Harper
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
