By Jordan Gerrans
Cairns apprentice jockey Krysten Swaffer says her young daughter Lainey is just as obsessed with horses as she is.
The 26-year-old hoop is on the comeback trail in North Queensland after welcoming her first child into the world in April of last year.
The sister of former jockey Braydn Swaffer landed three winners last season in the first few months of her return to the saddle and has one victory to her name so far in the 2025-26 campaign.
That one triumph so far this season was aboard Major Artie in the feature Banana Cup at Innisfail late last month.
Swaffer is doing so while managing a job away from racing, as well.
She is focusing on riding at country meetings in North Queensland on Saturdays on top of midweek Cairns TAB meetings.
And, she is usually doing so with young Lainey cheering her on trackside.
“She loves going to the races and whenever my partner is home – as he works away – they will go to the races together,” Swaffer said.
“They are supporting me over the fence when they can be there. It is wonderful for her to be on the sidelines and be able to watch.”