News

Record female participation celebrated

7th Mar 2014

Racing Victoria - Friday, 7 March 2014

Racing Victoria (RV) is celebrating the increasing engagement, contribution and achievements of women in the thoroughbred racing industry ahead of tomorrow’s International Women’s Day.

Female participation rates in the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry are at an all-time high and RV has made further growth a key objective in its recently released three-year strategic plan, Racing For The Future. In the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry, women now represent;

• 22% of jockeys (up from 10% in 2004);
• 24% of trainers (up from 19% in 2004); and
• 49% of stable employees;
• whilst 41% of Victorian race clubs are now managed by women.

RV Chief Executive, Bernard Saundry, said the record female participation was pleasing and that it was a fitting time to recognise their contribution to the sport in Victoria.

“Women are now at the forefront of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry – they are playing an increasingly important role in our sport and we are committed to furthering female participation both on and off the track,” Saundry said.

“Thousands of women across the state are now participating in the sport in a range of vocations such as riders, trainers, strappers, farriers, vets, owners, breeders and administrators. There’s also a strong band of female fans which increases throughout the Spring Racing Carnival.

“It’s been fantastic to see the advancement of women across all areas of racing during the last decade, in particular the increase in our riding ranks, and International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to shine a light on the many females who have contributed to the industry and inspired others through their achievements.”

Victorian jockey ranks have seen the strongest increase in female participation over the last 10 years – with the number of female jockeys doubling to 50 or 22 percent of the state’s riding population.

A record number of females were inducted into RV’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program this year – with six females among the nine inductees – indicating it’s a trend that will continue into the future.

“Over the past decade we have worked hard to ensure the thoroughbred racing industry is an Australian sporting leader in gender equality. It is one of the very few sports where women and men can compete on a level playing field,” Saundry said.

“Racing Victoria is constantly striving to increase engagement in racing and we’re committed to continuing to grow the level of female participation across all areas of the sport.

“From Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse to our first year apprentice jockeys, we have females who are inspiring the next generation right across our industry and it’s fitting that we promote and acknowledge their achievements as part of International Women’s Day.”

International Women’s Day coincides with tomorrow’s coveted Super Saturday race meeting at Flemington in which racing’s first lady, Gai Waterhouse, trains the favourite, Emirates Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, in the $1 million Darley Australian Cup (2000m).

In the day’s co-feature, the $1 million Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m), Cranbourne trainer Nikki Burke is chasing her maiden Group 1 success with Unpretentious, while visiting Sydney jockey Kathy O’Hara – one of five females to ride a Group 1 winner in Australia – will pilot Va Pensiero.

Key statistics around women in the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry include:
• In 2004 there were 23 female riders in Victoria (including apprentices, picnic, jumps and senior riders). This represented 10% of the jockey population.
• In 2014 there are 50 female riders in Victoria. This represents 22% of the jockey population.
• Five female jockeys have won Group 1 races in Australia (Michelle Payne, Nikita Beriman, Kathy O’Hara, Clare Lindop & Lauren Stojakovic).
• The 2014 Racing Victoria Apprentice Jockey Training Program saw a record female intake (six of nine inductees). It was up from 5 females / 10 inductees in 2013, 5/11 in 2012 and 2/12 in 2011.
• In 2004, 19% of licensed trainers were female.
• In 2014, 24% of licensed trainers are female.
• Of the 3,249 registered Victorian stable employees in 2014, 49% are female.
• 41% of Victorian race clubs (representing metropolitan, country and picnic racing clubs) are managed by women.

(Picture: Trainer Coleby Hill & jockey Kathy O'Hara)