Shelley Lee Moran loves sitting on top of a horse
by Victoria Howard
Whether she is on top of a thoroughbred or standardbred, Shelley Lee Moran is in her glory.
Born in Nashville, “The Buckle of the Bible Belt,” Moran grew up around horses. Her family was involved in the sport as her mother was a jockey, trainer, owner, and breeder, and her brother was a trainer, breeder, and ex-rider.
Moran started her career as a jockey and enjoyed it for 29 years before switching to becoming an outrider and for the past 10 years she has focused on outriding and loves every minute.
Unlike people who choose to train or drive racehorses, Moran opted to be what I would call “a horse and driver’s guardian angel,” for an outrider’s job is to make sure that all the horses and drivers are safe on the racetrack.
The trainer/driver/jockey shines in all their glory when a horse wins a race, but nobody credits the one person who makes sure it all goes well and keeps everyone returning safely, the outrider.
Sounds like a fun job? Not really. For an outrider is one of the most, if not the most important person on a racetrack and it is everything, but glamorous.
For those who think it’s an easy job, perhaps they should try it.
The duty of an outrider is to assist in post parades, are stationed and ready during the race, and help to bring the winner’s back after a race.
Outriders play crucial roles in ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the events and are responsible for various tasks before, during. and after horse racing events.
They must be ready to help when a horse stumbles or falls and provide immediate aid and assistance to injured jockeys or drivers and horses, offering support until veterinary professionals arrive on the scene. Their quick response and calm demeanor are vital in minimizing the impact of emergencies and ensuring the well-being of everyone involved.
The outrider spends the day or entire evening sitting on top of their horse regardless of the weather and must be ‘hands ready’ for any unforeseen situation.
So, when and why did Moran decide to make outriding her life career?
“I started out as a thoroughbred jockey on Nov. 2, 1988, and I rode for 29 years,” she said. “During that time, I amassed over 1,200 career wins.
“I took after my mother Betty, for she was one of the first female jockeys. I decided to start my own pony business and did that until I wanted something more challenging, so I began outriding and fell instantly in love with it.”
Moran plied her trade at several different tracks.
“I’ve worked at all the Kentucky tracks — The Red Mile, Cumberland Run, Sandy Ridge, High Bramble, Kentucky Downs — Presque Isle in Pennsylvania, and Belterra Park in Ohio, and outrode for Keeneland at the Thoroughbred Training Center,” she said. “Personally, I own several horses which stay at the racetrack or at my mother’s farm.
“I do not believe that I am the superstar, my horses are the stars, and I must give them credit.
“One day, Nickel, my main man, caught three loose horses during the races in the same day at Belterra Park. This year Nickel and I received the Outstanding Outriding team award for standardbreds.”
Nickel is not the only standout for Moran
“Another one of my horses named Stanley is also a superstar,” she said. “One night Stanley caught a horse and bike when driver David Miller was unseated at the top of the stretch. Stanley and I were going so fast that my helmet came off in the process.
“Proudly, Stanley and I received the Outstanding Outriding team award last year for the standardbreds.
“Yes, I stopped the loose horses, but I am not the hero here, my horses are.”
During a race or when a horse is exercising, Moran is always on guard.
“I watch all the horses on the track train or race and must be ready if any unforeseen situation occurs,” she said. “I have to make sure the drivers/riders follow the rules or help fix equipment on the horse if something breaks.”
Over the years our sport has sadly lost several gifted drivers, such as Billy Haughton and Shelly Goudreau; both who were involved in an accident in a race.
This year, harness racing lost an up-and-coming driver named Hunter Myers who was involved in an accident at The Meadows. Tragically, Myers was only 27 years old and left behind a fiancée and baby boy.
When asked why she thinks accidents occur so much and what can be done to avoid them, Moran said, “There are many times I notice a driver is not paying attention to what’s happening around them. Racing horses is very serious and should not be taken lightly. You must watch everything that’s going on and have eyes in front, behind, and on the side. A mere second is crucial to someone who is sitting behind a horse that’s going 35 or 40 miles an hour.
“It’s not much different than riding a car. You may be a great driver but it’s the other driver whose texting, or using a phone that causes the accident. Many times, innocent people are killed or injured due to the negligence of the other driver.
“In fact, sitting behind or on top of a horse is much more significant and tectonic, for a horse is a living, breathing creature, not a piece of metal that can be replaced.”
Outriders don’t earn anything near what trainers or drivers do, and never get the honor and praise they rightfully deserve. But that’s okay with Moran who doesn’t plan to stop what she’s doing.
“My reward is whenever I catch a loose horse, and the horse and driver are safe,” she said. “There is nothing more gratifying and rewarding.
“I plan to keep doing what I love to do the most, outride.”
