October
MayOn top down under
Browsing through back copies of the quality UK Magazine Gallop, I came across an article relating to the struggle female jockeys are having for general acceptance in the northern hemisphere. In contrast it points out the relative success enjoyed by Australian and New Zealand female riders.
It listed the 10 highest-ranked female riders in the world as of September last year according to the website Thoroughbred Racing Commentary (associated with Gallop). Nine of the 10 were Australasians.
Top ranked was Jamie Kah, followed in turn by Lucy Warwick, Linda Meech, Rachel King, Kathy O’Hara, Lisa Allpress (NZ), Samantha Spratt (NZ), Trudy Thornton (NZ), Sophie Doyle (US-based sister of top UK jockey James) and Raquel Clark.
The article doesn’t mention Michelle Payne, who may have been semi-retired as a rider at the time, but it does put a dampener on the women’s achievements that, aside from her famous and historic Melbourne Cup, female success in big Australian group races is limited.
The situation is still better than in the northern hemisphere, however, where apparently women are rarely seen riding in major races.
Brighton (Qld)