Australian racing history was created in Grafton during the 2025 XXXX July Racing Carnival when trainer Jeff Dunn and jockey Rikki Jamieson turned the Grafton District Services Club (GDSC) Ramornie Handicap into a true family affair after they combined to win the time-honoured 1200m sprint with newly purchased stable star Sha Of Gomer.

It was the first time a husband (trainer) and wife (jockey) had celebrated success together in their respective roles with the same horse in a Listed race on any racetrack in Australia.

The historic result stirred plenty of emotional scenes at the Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) following the event. 

Husband and wife celebrate Ramornie success

It was an historic achievement which captured the hearts of racing enthusiasts, and a defining moment which will never be surpassed for trainer Jeff Dunn or his wife, jockey Rikki Jamieson, when they celebrated the biggest win of their respective careers alongside one another last week during the 2025 XXXX July Racing Carnival.

The couple combined to win the prestigious Grafton District Services Club (GDSC) Ramornie Handicap over 1200m on July 16 with progressive five-year-old Shalaa (IRE) gelding Sha Of Gomer, whom Dunn had purchased earlier this year for less than $3000 as a tried horse from the stable of champion trainer Chris Waller.

Describing it as a massive thrill, Dunn, a former stunt rider who acquired his trainer’s licence five years ago, said the occasion was made even more special as he was able to share it with his wife.

“I just can’t believe this has happened,” he recalled.

“The way he (Sha Of Gomer) was travelling as the field came around the corner (at the top of the home straight), I was starting to get up out of my seat.

“Halfway down the home straight I was standing a bit taller, and at the winning post I was jumping up and down.

“It’s such a thrill to train the winner of this great race, and it’s a moment which will never be surpassed because my wife was also the jockey.”

While Sha Of Gomer’s impressive triumph in one of the feature events during the annual July Racing Carnival was the first black-type success his trainer and jockey had celebrated together on the track, it was also the first time in Australian racing history a husband and wife had teamed up to win a race at such a high level with the same horse while fulfilling different roles.

As she reflected on how the race unfolded, Jamieson revealed while she found herself positioned closer to the leaders than she had initially planned to be, she was able to utilise Sha Of Gomer’s natural speed and credited the gelding with putting himself into the box seat.

After quickly realising the horse they were trailing (The Big Goodbye) wasn’t taking them into the race, Jamieson said she had to “pop off his heels” and ride Sha Of Gomer in an exposed position before pressing the go button.

“He just blitzed them from there,” she said.

“He’s a horse which gives you so much confidence, and we absolutely love him.

“For Jeff and I to win the Ramornie with him, I mean, wow, it’s such an amazing feeling.”

It was Sha Of Gomer’s third win for his new trainer after joining Dunn’s stable in Beaudesert in late April.

Sha Of Gomer started at 10/1 and defeated the race favourite Compelling Truth by 1.2 lengths on the line. Barber finished third.

Dunn, who currently has less than 20 horses in work, confirmed Sha Of Gomer will head to the paddock for a short let up before targeting further sprint races in the spring.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 23 July 2025.