Indonesia
English
Follow
SARGA.CO – Not long ago, spotting a female jockey in the racing room was a rare sight. Now, across regional racetracks in Australia—especially in northern Western Australia—they’re not just present, they’re dominating.
According to ABC News, this season 7 out of 10 racing championships in the Pilbara, Kimberley, and Gascoyne regions have been won by women jockeys. Among them is 21-year-old apprentice Holly Nottle, who made headlines by winning the Port Hedland Cup aboard Reginald.
“It’s a feeling I can’t describe,” Holly said of her victory.
At the 2025 Gascoyne Junction Cup, female jockeys claimed all six races. One standout was Kate Pateman, who was named Western Australia’s Regional Jockey of the Year—her first season back on the track after having two children.
“This industry used to be male-dominated. Now, women are coming in strong. We’re rivals on the track, but in the jockeys’ room we support each other,” Pateman said.
Matthew Hyland from the Victorian Jockeys Association notes that many young girls start with pony clubs or other riding activities.
“They grow up around horses, and horse racing offers them a career path on equal footing with men,” Hyland explained.
Even with their growing numbers, female jockeys still face the industry’s tough demands. Kyra Yuill, the first woman to win the Perth Cup, recalls when she was the only one in the women’s changing room.
“It’s a hard world. But if they prove themselves in the first six months, they’ll keep achieving,” she said.
Sharyn Lancaster of Racing WA adds that smaller body size—a key factor in meeting strict weight limits—has helped open doors.
“Women generally have a lighter build, which fits the weight requirements for jockeys perfectly,” Lancaster said.
Family connections and childhood riding hobbies also play major roles.
Since Michelle Payne made history in 2015 as the only female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, the number of women in the field has steadily risen. In 2024, 4 of the 23 participants were women—a new record.
“Just wait. Another woman will win the Melbourne Cup—it’ll happen sooner than we think,” Lancaster predicted.
Install SARGA.CO News
sarga.co
Rekomendasi