Sheila Laxon

[1] Her efforts were recognised when she took out the Fred Hoysted Award for the Australian season's outstanding training performance.

It was on the farm that Laxon developed a passion for horses through pony clubs, gymkhanas and showjumping.

Before emigrating to New Zealand around 1980, she spent time working with English trainer John L. Dunlop at his stables in Arundel, Sussex.

In New Zealand in 1983 she married trainer Laurie Laxon who had a large stable with many successful horses.

In the 2002 Queen's Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honours, Laxon was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to racing.