Libby Hopwood: So much rides on Michelle Payne’s success

SOME trainers still say no woman will ride their horses but after Michelle Payne’s historic Melbourne Cup victory, she has redefined how to pick jockeys.

TOPSHOTS Jockey Michelle Payne of Australia crosses the line on Prince of Penzance to become the first female jockey to win a Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on November 3, 2015. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO ADVERTISING USE NO PROMOTIONAL USE NO MERCHANDISING USE. AFP PHOTO/Paul CROCK

• The importance of Michelle Payne’s spray

BEING an injured jockey sitting on the sidelines is a bittersweet experience but on Tuesday I got to be in Melbourne to witness history being made, when Michelle Payne became the first female rider to win the nation’s most coveted horse race.

Only a handful of female riders have been given the opportunity to ride in the race and very few on a horse that wasn’t at big odds, that is usually an indication of its winning chance.

But did the big odds of 100/1 for Prince of Penzance represent the horse’s form or a reluctance to back it because a girl was in the saddle?

Cartoonist Mark Knight’s view.

Racing has come a long way from the days of gutsy men riding horses with stirrups as long as John Wayne and as it has developed so has the input and influence of women trailblazers.

Women were first given the opportunity to ride in “showcase races” where they only competed against other women. It was almost a freak show to the main attraction.

Fast forward and those hard-knocks, pioneering women who demanded to be allowed to race with the men have helped transform a unique sport where men and women participate on a truly level playing field.

No concessions are given to people based on what reproductive organs they possess; weight claims are given to apprentices, regardless of sex, that reflect their level of experience.

But there are still lingering stereotypes and old-fashioned people who are gladly hanging on to their bigotry.

It is less so within the racing circles among people who are around horses every day. These people see the industry at close hand and understand that a female is every bit as good as a male.

These days the prejudice is mostly from the laymen looking in. I still get asked by people, “Do the girls ride against the boys?”. And when I assure them that we do, I am met with incredulous looks and comments.

But different states have different levels of acceptance. I am fortunate to be appreciated in South Australia which has proudly knocked down stereotypes and embraced female riders, allowing some true talent to flourish.

Jamie Kah won the overall Adelaide Jockeys Premiership as an apprentice in 2012/13, and she achieved that feat not because she was a girl but because her unique talent was identified and she was given support.

This is a state that proudly boasts a quota of almost 50/50 female to male riders, with more girls coming through the ranks, but even here there are trainers that are happy to use a female to ride track work but refuse to engage them as a jockey on race days.

They stand on the soapbox of chauvinism proudly telling everyone that no woman will ride their horses but they won’t tell you why to your face.

I don’t know the attitude towards female jockeys in other states but rest assured in SA women do get the opportunity to compete at the metropolitan level with men more than in other states.

It is time there should be no distinctions made about the rider’s sex.

A female jockey winning the Melbourne Cup was bound to happen but the congratulations for Michelle winning the cup should be for being a great rider who gave her horse a fabulous ride, rather than because she’s a female.

Michelle is a hardworking woman who has overcome serious injuries and fought back to hone her art and flourish in a sport she loves.

I can’t wait for the future of racing when the sex of the jockey is not a consideration for trainers and owners and Melbourne Cup punters no longer grumble, “Don’t back that horse — it’s got a girl on it”.

It’s time to pick your jockey based on merit — instead of whether they sit down to use the toilet.

Libby Hopwood is a SA jockey still recovering from injuries sustained in a fall at Balaklava races last year that killed fellow jockey and close friend Caitlin Forrest. Libby has received support and advice from Michelle Payne who suffered similar injuries in a fall 11 years ago.

Originally published as Libby Hopwood: So much rides on Michelle Payne’s success