Former Exercise Rider Smullen Trains First Winner

Heather Smullen has developed an extensive resume during her racing career. She can now add 'winning trainer' to her list of accomplishments.

Smullen saddled her first winner as a head trainer May 30 at Gulfstream Park, where Quester  put her in the winner's circle following a one-length victory in the race 7 feature, a one mile optional claiming allowance on turf for Florida-bred 3-year-olds and up. Robert and Lawana Low's Quester, a 3-year-old son of Into Mischief  , was Smullen's fourth starter since she went out on her own in April.

"It feels great. I've been really lucky. I have a lot of owners and managers and people who have supported me over the years. I've been lucky to have the opportunity to have nice horses," she said.

Smullen was the regular exercise rider for 2017 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner and 2-year-old filly champion Caledonia Road while working as an assistant for trainer Ralph Nicks. She also was the regular work rider for Barclay Tagg's 2020 Florida Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers (G1) winner Tiz the Law  .

Smullen's exercise riding career came to an end following an accident on Labor Day morning at Saratoga Race Course in 2022 that left her with a broken fibula and tibia in her right leg. She has served at Gulfstream Park as an assistant for Arindel Farms, as well as for trainers Dale Romans and Phil Serpe over the past several years.

"I've worked as an assistant for about 20 years," said Smullen, a niece of Tagg's assistant trainer Robin Smullen. "I've been lucky to have been around good horses."

Smullen currently has a stable of 12 horses at Gulfstream and is looking to add more.