44-year-old Boyd Martin is a veteran in his sport! En route to his fourth Olympic Games as part of America’s three-man equestrian crew, he continues to embody a champion spirit. But this aptitude for ‘all things sports’ seems to run in the whole Martin clan. His parents, Ross and Toy Dorgan-Martin, are both Winter Olympians, while his wife Silva shares his profession, being a dressage rider from Germany.

But not many know about Boyd Martin’s sibling, who happens to be a sportsperson herself. Nonetheless, having shared fond childhood memories with her, Martin seems exceptionally proud of her athletic feats.

Who is Boyd Martin’s athlete sister?

Growing up, Boyd Martin belonged to a family of four, comprising him, his elder sister Brook, and their parents. Taking after the family’s love for sports, Brook seemed to have found her calling in athletics, as she grew up to be a professional ultra-marathon runner.

Moreover, striding miles on her feet, supported by her stamina and passion, she was exemplar for her younger sibling. “My older sister, Brook, rode at the top level and now she’s become a competitive ultra-marathon runner, going round the world running for 50 hours straight – it’s madness,” cited her proud brother Boyd in an interview with Horse&Hound.

In May 2024, Brook completed her 8th Ultra Trail Australia 100. Completing a 100km long run through the Blue Mountains in Australia, she navigated varying conditions to add another achievement to her list of records. However, the seeds of the sporting careers that the Martin siblings lead today were planted years back.

Upbringing paved the way for the siblings’ careers

Not many know, but the 3x Pan-Am gold medalist Boyd Martin isn’t originally from the US. Raised alongside Brook on the outskirts of Sydney, he holds dual citizenship and only moved to America in 2007. Having spent their initial years in Australia, marked a crucial chapter in the siblings’ gravitation towards sports.

Speaking to H&H, Martin disclosed that their familiarisation with the world of sports wasn’t happenstance. In fact, it was encouraged by their parents. “We were encouraged in every sport you can imagine growing up,” he said. The 3-time Olympian’s parents had apparently met each other at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics. Thus, sports were deeply rooted in every bit of their lives.

As for Boyd, it was particularly easy to access the horseracing world. “Pony Club was just down the road, and everyone had a couple of horses in the back yard,” he once said. He even started learning from some of the pros in the sport, becoming a working pupil for the legendary Heath Ryan after high school. “There were a couple of hundred horses–for breaking in, dressage, jumping, sales and racehorses. It was a great education,” he said, recalling his days in Sydney.

Post this working pupil program, Martin commenced his own journey. He mentions that though he did not have enough horses or income, he made it work eventually. “I sold beach holidays – you get used to people hanging up on you! I picked grapes for a winery, and sold school books, too, as my dad had a business doing that.”

Therefore, behind the Martin sibling’s success in sports, is a humble beginning and a supportive family background. What do you think of their success story?