Diamant’s triple winning thrill

By Jonny Turner

Siv Diamant hit an all-time trifecta when producing The Peacemaker to win at Motukarara on Wednesday.

In a moment she will never forget, the Danish-born horsewoman scored her first win as a driver, trainer and owner when her big striding mare charged out of the pack to win race 6.

Because the sun was shining down on Motukarara racecourse, it meant no one could see quite what the victory meant to Diamant, though she was somewhat thankful about it.

“It was lucky I had my sunglasses on because I had tears when I crossed the line.”

“When I pulled her out I didn’t feel like she was going that good, but I pulled the hood and she took off and she just kept going.”

“I felt the other horse coming, so I got a bit excited down the straight, but I couldn’t believe it when I passed the post.”

Born and raised in Denmark before embarking on an epic journey across the harness racing globe, Diamant got her interest in the sport through her father Thomas who is a part-owner in The Peacemaker.

Though he had to watch the race replay from Denmark, naturally he was thrilled.

“I sent it to him as soon as I got home and he was over the moon,” Diamant said.

“He was obviously a bit sad that he couldn’t be there but he was so proud and so happy.”

Diamant worked in stables in Europe, North America and Australia before coming to New Zealand four and a half years ago.

The horsewoman works for Grant Payne while training The Peacemaker on the side.

Diamant was inspired to get her trainer’s licence to apply the training methods she had learned in Denmark.

The trainer tries to mix her mare’s work up and she isn’t scared to give The Peacemaker extra days off like horses in Europe enjoy.

“I have been riding her and I changed the bit on her because she used to pull a lot.”

“She only had two hopples between last time at Addington and her win.”

Diamant gained her junior driver’s licence around three years ago but hadn’t driven for some time.

Her victory looks to have given her renewed confidence in the sulky.

“I think it was two years ago I had my last drive.”

“I don’t know – I don’t think I had the confidence and it was hard to get drives.”

“Driving my own one I felt confident, I know what she can do.”

Diamant wasted no time in registering her first win as a trainer.

It came with just her third career start.

The Peacemaker is her only horse in work but she is keen to take on more if opportunities arise.