Fresh face happy to be living the dream

On the surface, Robyn Cottman was content.

Having served as a police-woman, completed degrees in sports science and psychology, run a gymnasium and ridden in dressage events, she had seemingly lived a full life.

But there was a void, a burning desire from her teenage years which she had not fulfilled.

So, after the death of her father Lochyer “Lockie” Cottman just over three years ago, she chose to pursue her dream and become a thoroughbred trainer.

Last Thursday, all the toil was rewarded when the fledgling trainer produced Sharp Spinner to win at Northam.

Just 40 minutes later, Cottman was stunned when Anhing Adingding also saluted to give her a race-to-race double.

Cottman’s mother, Meg, brother Rod and sister Janita shared the moment as co-owners in the pair.

“I’ve had horses since I was a teenager,” Cottman said.

“Dressage is what I liked doing. But to train a racehorse was something I had wanted to do since a teenager, but I had no idea how to go about it.

“When my father was dying it dawned on me that you get one chance in life and I needed to follow that dream.

“I gave up my job as a police officer and pursued the dream.

“I remembered training at Lord’s Gym and meeting Paul Jordan as an 18 or 19-year-old.

“I got in touch with Paul and he was happy to have me hang around and learn the race-day procedures from him.

“I also thought racing horses would be a good way to bring my family together. My brother and sister live interstate and especially for my mum to give her an interest after losing dad.”

Sharp Spinner and Anhing Adingding have provided Cottman with the challenges she needed to hone her skills.

“Sharp Spinner can be quite strong and I needed to get him to settle,” she said.

“Anhing Adingding was a bigger challenge because of his emotions.

“I give all of my horses dressage education to make them more supple and balanced at home before they go to Ascot.”