Mal Johnston, Jim Cassidy predict Rachel King can make history by winning Sydney jockey’s title

As female jockeys smash through racing’s glass ceiling, two legends believe Rachel King will soon conquer the most competitive riding environment in the southern hemisphere.

Rachel King won the 2020 Villiers aboard Greysful Glamour.

Riding legends Malcolm Johnston and Jim Cassidy believe Rachel King can do what was once considered unthinkable for a female jockey — win the Sydney premiership.

Johnston and Cassidy, both former premier Sydney jockeys, consider King’s rapid rise through the Sydney riding ranks has her in position to soon challenge for the title.

Sydney is the toughest and most competitive riding environment in the southern hemisphere but King has surged to third on the premiership with 40 wins going into Friday night’s Canterbury meeting.

Rachel King has enjoyed a great season.

King is above champion jockeys like Nash Rawiller, Hugh Bowman and Kerrin McEvoy and trails only Tommy Berry (63 wins) and defend champ James McDonald (60 wins) in the Sydney premiership.

Berry and McDonald have their eye on the premiership prize this season but Hall of Fame jockey “Miracle” Mal Johnston said King can challenge for the title next year.

“I don’t think there’s many jockeys riding better than Rachel King,’’ Johnston said.

“She is a lovely person, a credit to the game, and is improving all the time. I don’t think winning a Sydney premiership is out of the question for her.

“Sydney racing is so cut-throat and a lot has to go right to win a premiership – you need to stay out of the stewards room and be injury-free, but Rachel is that good a premiership is a realistic goal for her.

“Rachel has the backing of Godolphin and other leading stables and when a jockey is in that position, then they are going to ride a lot of winners.

Rachel King and her Everest mount Eduardo

“She is third in the premiership this year behind two superstar jockeys in Tommy and ‘J-Mac’ and if she continues her progress, who’s to say she can’t be putting pressure on them next season.’’

Cassidy, also a member of racing’s elite Hall of Fame after a celebrated riding career, said King is more than capable of becoming the first female rider to win the Sydney jockey premiership.

“Rachel King is a star, she is the most improved jockey in Australia and she could win the premiership next season,’’ Cassidy declared.

“She rides light so she gets plenty of rides, she sits well on them and horses travel better for her than 90 percent of jockeys in Sydney at the moment.

“She doesn’t make many mistakes, either. The ones she does make, she has the ability to overcome them and that’s what makes her so good.’’

King’s success this season is part of a nationwide trend where female jockeys are smashing through racing’s glass ceiling in numbers.

Yet another winner for King.

The big stables have come calling.

The jockey premiership standings in each state and territory reflect the rise and rise of women riders.

Jamie Kah is a clear leader in the Melbourne jockeys premiership, Jessica Eaton is in front in Adelaide, and female riders are nestled in the top 10 rankings in every major racing centre around the nation.

Johnston said the racing industry is changing to reflect modern society’s expectation of gender equality.

“If you had said to be me 10 years ago a female jockey could win the premiership in Sydney or Melbourne I would have said you were off your rocker,’’ Johnston said.

“But Jamie Kah is proving it can be done. She can win the Melbourne premiership this season against great riders like ‘Ollie’ (Damien Oliver), Craig Williams and Damian Lane.

“In Sydney, look at how well Rachel is doing! It’s no fluke she is third on the premiership because she is riding so well.

Jamie Kah is taking all before her in Melbourne.

“There was a time when punters might have liked a horse and the trainer but if a lady rider was in the saddle they would put a line through it.

“Not anymore, times have changed particularly with Rachel King and Jamie Kah.

“If I like a horse and want to have something on it, I’m tickled pink if either Rachel or Jamie is the rider.’’

Originally published as Mal Johnston, Jim Cassidy predict Rachel King can make history by winning Sydney jockey’s title