Groom Coby Anthony ended the 2025 racing season with 27 victories from 89 starts to become the champion groom with a winning percentage of 30.

In addition, Anthony earned 11 second-place finishes and was in third place on 14 occasions, impressive returns for the 21-year-old young achiever. Anthony works at the barn of trainer Peter-John Parsard.

His nearest rival for the top groom’s award was Steven Smith, operating from the shed row of conditioner Anthony Nunes. Smith entered the winners’ enclosure 15 times from 62 starts for a winning percentage of 24.

In an interview with The Supreme Racing Guide, Anthony shared his success story.

SUPREME RACING GUIDE – SRG

COBY ANTHONY – CA

SRG: Coby, congratulations on being the champion groom. How did you start grooming horses?

CA: Thank you. I left school in the eighth grade just a few years ago and then went straight into looking after horses.

SRG: What inspired you to begin grooming horses at such a young age?

CA: My father, Paul, was a groom; now he is an assistant trainer, and my older brother, Christo, is a groom. Christo looked after horses like She’s A Maneater and Mamma Mia.

SRG: Did your father and brother assist you?

CA: Yes, they did, and I also got help from others.

SRG: What is a typical day for you, and how many horses do you care?

CA: I look after many horses, as they come in the stables, and they leave the stables, but around five or six. I wake up like around 4:00-4:30 in the morning, then start looking after the horses, preparing them for the sea or the track, just to make sure they are okay. After the horses come in, I clean them up and feed them. Then I go to sleep, wake up in the afternoon, feed them, make sure they have grass, and do whatever the trainer asks me to do with each horse.

SRG: You do this every day?

CA: I don’t leave the stables for six days; I usually go home on Sundays. So it’s six days a week.

SRG: Six days a week and not leaving the stables, that is a lot; do you have time for anything else?

CA: I have enough time on Sundays. Right now, I work with the horses and the trainer.

SRG: When did you get your groom’s licence?

CA: On April 2, 2025, and the first time my horses raced, about three or four days later, I had three winners.

SRG: Wait a bit here! You got your licence in April 2025, won three races first time out, and in eight months had 27 winners to become champion groom; how did you do that?

CA: Well, a whole heap of hard, tough work, and dedication.

SRG: Of your 27 wins, which one is your favourite?

CA: For me, all of them are my favourites.

SRG: Understood, but one or two must be special.

CA: Then, probably when Mohagany won the Easter Sprint Cup.

SRG: Has grooming horses been satisfying for you?

CA: Yes, it is, and I thank my family and trainer.

Coby Anthony (left) with his father Paul.

Champion groom 2025, Coby Anthony with his trophy.