Angela Jones creates Queensland racing history as first female to win metro jockeys’ premiership

A relieved Angela Jones made Queensland racing history as the first female to win the metro jockeys’ premiership after a thrilling finish with Emily Lang.

Angela Jones has become the first female rider to win the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The overwhelming emotion running through Angela Jones was more relief than ecstasy after she created racing history at Doomben on Wednesday, becoming the first female to win the Brisbane metro jockeys’ premiership.

Jones went into the meeting on 66 victories, two ahead of her nearest rival Emily Lang (64), in a thrilling battle that went right down to the last metropolitan meeting of the 2024-25 season.

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Neither jockey was able to register a victory on the day, meaning Jones maintained her narrow lead of two over Lang, who scored the consolation prize of emphatically securing the Brisbane apprentice jockeys’ crown.

“I’m just relieved,” said Queensland country girl Jones, who grew up on a cattle property near Clermont and went to boarding school in Charters Towers.

“It’s been a battle for the last couple of months but the last month it has gotten really close.

“It’s hard to get excited because the most emotion you feel is just relief and I’m pretty happy that it’s over and I’m glad I could come out on top.

“I think I’ll be able to appreciate it more tomorrow.”

🎥 | Angela Jones speaks of her relief after holding on to win the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership. pic.twitter.com/ZRsb3j4294

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 30, 2025

Asked whether the gruelling battle for the premiership had left her drained, Jones said: “Yeah somewhat.

“I think being so close between us two and being such good mates, makes it a little bit harder.

“You always want to hate your opponent but it’s hard because we get on pretty well.

“It’s mostly relief but I’ll be pretty excited in the weeks to come.”

Brisbane’s premier trainer Tony Gollan is used to spraying his jockeys for bad rides but his hoops Jones and Lang turned the tables after the final race on Wednesday, showering their boss with champagne during an “amazing moment for Ang”.

“I remember a couple of seasons ago when she was standing out there after winning the apprentices’ title,” Gollan said about Jones.

“She always had the thirst and the hunger to win something like that.

“I guess at the start of the season she probably didn’t think it was possible but that’s what seasons are about, they go in ebbs and flows and things change.

“She’s done an amazing job and it couldn’t have gone to a more worthy winner.”

🍾 🥂 celebrations at Doomben - Gollan, Jones + Lang @RacenetTweetspic.twitter.com/yw1zFQAtJE

— Ben Dorries (@bendorries76) July 30, 2025

Female jockey pioneer Linda Jones was watching the Brisbane races at her Caloundra home on Wednesday when she suddenly realised “I need to be there” to see history created.

“I’ve always been a huge supporter of the girls (Lang and Jones),” said Jones, who was one of the first women to be granted a race licence in New Zealand in 1977.

“I just think it’s fantastic. I was sitting there on the couch watching the races and I said to my husband Alan ‘you know what, I’m going to go to the track because this is history’.

Jones said at the start of the season, she never dreamed of being in this position.

“No, not at all. It’s probably been a shock,” the 24-year-old said.

“I never really dreamed I’d be fighting it out for a premiership at this stage in my career and at the start of the year I definitely didn’t really think I was a hope.

Women’s jockey pioneer Linda Jones paved the way for female hoops such as Emily Lang (left) and Angela Jones (right), who have dominated this season’s Brisbane metro premiership, at Doomben on Wednesday. Picture: Trackside Photography

“I just wanted to improve on my last season but then with Jimmy Orman going away (to Hong Kong) I knew I was in with a chance then and it’s been in the making for the last couple of months.

“I feel privileged (to be the first female to win a Brisbane jockeys’ title).

“I got to be the one to do it but it wouldn’t have happened without the lovely ladies beforehand who have done it really tough to pave the way and make it easy for us today.

“We don’t really have to prove ourselves – being female they look at us the same now, which is great.

“It was always going to happen and I’m just lucky enough to be the first one.”

Originally published as Angela Jones creates Queensland racing history as first female to win metro jockeys’ premiership