Stephanie Graham’s time in the spotlight during Inter Dominion series

Usually working away quietly in the background and acting as the cheerleader on race night, Queensland’s Stephanie Graham is finally receiving some well-deserved shine through the Inter Dominion series.

It is mostly Stephanie’s father Darrel or her high-profile sister Brittany who receive all the plaudits when it comes to the Grahams pacers and trotters over the years.

With consistent square gaiter Majestic Harry transferred into the 23-year-old Stephanie’s name as the official trainer for the Victorian series, she has become more widely known across the broader industry.

“Not that I have ever done too many interviews or anything before, but I don’t mind it,” Stephanie said on Thursday afternoon when asked about an interview she did on radio that morning.

Brittany is one of the most recognisable people within the harness racing code and as her sister says, it is not just at the track where the Sky Racing presenter, as well as being an accomplished driver, is noticed by strangers, it is everywhere she travels.

Usually flying under the radar at a track like Albion Park or Redcliffe, Stephanie has understood what life is like for her older sister at times during their Victorian sojourn.

“Beforehand it was dad’s name in the race book and Brittany’s name as the driver and people did not really know who I was,” Stephanie said.

“It is actually funny having people come up to me at the races down here and knowing who I was.

“It was kind of weird because at first I was wondering how the people knew who I am (laughs).

“It is good to get out there and get my name recognised a little bit more and be recognised for the work I do at home with the horses.

“To be recognised for the work I have done over a long period of time is nice.”

It is not just during the ID series that Stephanie is hands on with the Graham teams runners.

She helps work the horses every morning with her father before turning her hand to her part time jobs with Australian Pacing Gold as well as her own beauty salon.

Stephanie previously worked with Telstra for four years before becoming more involved with the horses and now she is able to travel away for interstate campaigns such as the big ID series this year.

The youngest Graham has 45 winners to her name as a trainer so far in the early stages of her career.

While the family and stable have been in several big feature races over the years, it was always Darrel’s phone buzzing for an interview from the media or a commitment along those lines.

In her time in the sun, Stephanie is enjoying learning about a different side of the industry that she was previously not exposed to.

“It is funny because we have had horses in big races before but I have never seen this side of things before,” Stephanie said.

“It is exciting to be at the track and being a little bit more a part of it all than I usually am, I have always been the cheerleader before.

“Now to be front and centre, it is exciting.”

It is most certainly a team effort when it comes to Majestic Harry.