Victorian concession driver Ryan Backhouse is putting in the hard yards in pursuit of his harness racing goals, and his standout performance at Mildura last Friday was another big step forward.
The 19-year-old freelance reinsman drove five winners at the meeting, repeating a career highlight he first achieved at the same track on December 12, 2023.
“It wasn’t the first time I’ve driven five, but it was still a great day,” Backhouse said.
“And to do it for a lot of different trainers (five different stables) this time was pretty satisfying too.”
Originally from Tasmania, Backhouse relocated to Victoria early last year to work full-time for trainer-driver Aaron Dunn at Horsham.
With almost-weekly meetings at Mildura, 300 kilometres north, he’s become a regular - and the results are speaking for themselves.
“I usually get a full book of drives, so it’s always worth the trip,” he said.
“Mildura’s where a lot of drivers in Victoria got their start — guys like Alby (Alex Ashwood) and Jack (Laugher). You get good opportunities, and it helps build your name.”
But the commitment is real.
“It’s about three and a half hours from Aaron’s place, so when Aaron’s away racing interstate, it can be a long day,” Backhouse said.
Backhouse has now driven 140 winners (with a credible 13 per cent winning strike rate), and the workload at home - with more than 20 horses in work - is shared with his dad Paul, who joined the team earlier this year.
“Dad was concreting back in Tassie, but things were a bit quiet, and Aaron needed staff, so it made sense,” he said.
“We used to clash a bit at home, but we’re getting on pretty well now,” he laughed.
Paul previously held a trainer’s licence and has a yearling purchase of his own, but their focus is firmly on the stable team.
“Dad usually stays home and takes care of things when I go racing, but if we have four or five in, he’ll come along too.”
The pair are holding the fort while Dunn campaigns his talented mare Sweetnikkilou in New South Wales. She’s drawn the coveted inside gate in the Pryde’s Easifeed Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle on Saturday night.
In the meantime, Backhouse is back on the road - returning to Mildura today with another full book of drives.
He came agonisingly close to a career milestone late last year, finishing just two points behind Australia’s top reinsman James Herbertson in the 2024 Young Guns Series at Melton on New Year’s Eve. Herbertson took out the series without a win on the night, edging out Backhouse by grabbing third in a photo finish in the final event.
“That would’ve been great - winning that meant a trip overseas, which is something I’d love to do in the future,” Backhouse said.
“But right now, I want to establish myself in Victoria, get more drives, and be on the radar of more stables. Making the trip to Mildura is the first step in doing that.
“I’m starting to pick up more drives at Melton on Saturday nights too, which is great. The Douglas stable is giving me some good opportunities and there are others here and there - that’s what it’s all about.”