The now 21-year-old former Gunnedah High student has worked at racecourses up and down the east coast – from Doomben to Ballina, Lismore to Ispwich and everywhere in between.

She was lucky enough to snare a gig as a strapper at the Gold Coast Magic Millions earlier this month with Dan Bougoure Racing.

“It was an incredible atmosphere, even just from where I was at the stables,” Shannon said.

The first starter under her watch, Our Gardy, coincidently was ridden by former Tamworth apprentice Tim Bell, didn’t perform as well as anticipated.

“The trip down (from Brisbane) knocked him round a bit,” she said.

However the second, Anna Lizzy, ran much better in the $164,000 R.M Williams race three over 1300 metres.

The five-year-old mare placed second and less than a length off the pace.

“It was an awesome race, she could have won but drew a wide barrier,” Shannon said.

The mare won about $30,000 in prizemoney, relative small fry compared to million-dollar races held later that afternoon.

Recently it was reported the 2016 Magic Millions will receive even more prizemoney with next year’s paychecks nudging $10 million.

The Magic Millions 3YO Guineas which this year was worth $1 million will be doubled and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic will be increased by $500,000 to $2.5 million.

“It was a great experience (at the Millions), one I won’t forget,” Shannon said.

The stars in her eyes have barely faded and already the local gal has her sights set on an even bigger prize – her own trainer’s licence.

“Hopefully I’ll get it,” Shannon said.

“It probably won’t be until later this year.

“And I’ll have to do one to two years of study for it.”

Once acquired, Shannon plans to relocate back to Gunnedah to train her horses, at the same track where her racing career began.

It was here at Riverside as a young teen that Shannon started her riding apprenticeship under the auspices of Graham Shields and Shane Everson.

She followed Everson to Grafton before snaring more work up north.

But there was always a calling for something more, something bigger and it’s as a trainer she hopes to realise that ambition.