Clare’s passion for horses started with her love of animals whilst growing up on a hobby farm in Wangoom, country Victoria. Although the family did not have a history in Racing, Clare quickly fell in love with the sport. 

Clare leant to ride at the St Mary’s Pony Farm at the age of 10,  gaining an amazing horsemanship experience by working there each weekend. This led to Clare soon having her own horse “Annie” and becoming a member of the Warrnambool Pony Club.

Clare’s career in racing started in the early 1990’s when she got a job mucking out the stables at the local Allansford Racehorse Trainers Stables. Leaving Warrnambool Secondary College at 15, she had her first race ride as an Apprentice Jockey at the Warrnambool May carnival in 1996.

In 1997-98, when based at Hamilton, VIC and under the guidance and tutelage of her Master Jack Barling, Clare became the VIC South-Western District Leading Apprentice. Taking the opportunity to move to Adelaide’s Morphettville Racecourse in 1999 to complete her apprenticeship with Byron Cozamanis, Clare’s work ethic and perseverance took her to the top level of racing in Australia and abroad. 

Riding over 1400 winners throughout her career, Clare saluted in four Group One’s and over fifty Black Type Races. A highlight being her win aboard Rebel Raider in the 2008 VRC Derby, who was the rank outsider of the field. In addition to this, Clare won the SA Metropolitan Jockey Premiership on three occasions and finished in the top five a staggering thirteen times. Other milestones of Clare’s riding career included being the first female jockey in Australia to win a Group One and to ride in the Melbourne Cup.

Clare’s career has been blessed by great mentors and memorable moments. From humble beginnings Clare rose to the top of her game, overcoming injuries and disappointments to become one of the most consistent jockeys in South Australian Racing for two decades.

In 2018 Clare became the first female jockey to be inducted into the SA Racing Hall of Fame.  

Since retiring from riding, Clare has remained active in the industry. Currently working for Racing SA & sitting on the SA Jockeys Advisory Board where she continues to mentor young jockeys. Clare is also heard weekly on the SEN SA airwaves giving her analysis ahead of the weekends racing and discussing the issues of the week. Clare delivers a compelling keynote which shares her journey in racing, including the highlights and tough times, as well as discussing the progress of women's equality in sport.