‘This isn’t a novelty or aberration’: Female jockeys set up for success in Queensland

History will soon be made with the first female jockey to win the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership, but don’t expect it to be a one-off.

Jockeys Angela Jones and Emily Lang are great mates but have also been duking it out in the race for the Brisbane jockeys' premiership. Picture: Trackside Photography

Don’t think it’s just a one-off.

A female jockey will soon create history by winning the Brisbane riding premiership for the first time, but expectations are that it could soon be the rule rather than the exception.

As great mates Angela Jones and apprentice Emily Lang have been battling it out for the title, Brisbane Racing Club chairman Richard Morrison has been making plans to cater for the continuation of a trend that is reshaping Australian racing.

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As part of its broader refurbishment plans at Eagle Farm, Morrison confirmed the BRC is already planning to significantly expand the female jockeys’ room to accommodate the growing number of women riding at the top level.

“It’s something we’re proud to support. We’re not just responding to what’s happening now, we’re preparing for what racing will look like in the future,” Morrison said.

“The growth in female participation is real, it’s sustained, and it’s only going in one direction.”

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Morrison, who was elected BRC chairman earlier this year when he replaced long-serving Neville Bell, feels there is a growing wave of female jockeys who are taking racing by storm.

“It’s the first time a female rider will win the senior title, but it won’t be the last,” Morrison said.

“This isn’t a novelty or an aberration.

“It’s a reflection of a changing industry and the incredible talent we’re seeing from female riders across the board.

“Gone are the days where women were only given rides on outsiders as some kind of token gesture.

Brisbane Racing Club chairman Richard Morrison (left) with BRC chief executive Karl deKroo. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Today, they have the trust of punters and the backing of the leading stables. They’re riding the favourites and winning regularly.

“It’s not just about the top two.

“Look at the apprentice ranks, there are 21 female apprentices and just eight males currently licensed to ride at provincial meetings in Queensland.

“Across the state, there are more registered female trackwork riders than male and the number of stablehands is similarly skewed.

“Thoroughbred racing across Australia would grind to a halt without the contribution of women.”

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COBALT MYSTERY

Peter Hulbert, 79, has been training for 48 years without any of his horses ever registering a positive swab ... until a recent cobalt case.

It is surely one of the cleanest records of any trainer in Australia who has trained over several decades or more.

And Hulbert, who trains with son Will, said he is gobsmacked at how former import Dillian tested above the legal threshold for cobalt.

“I’ve got absolutely no idea,” Peter Hulbert said.

“I will be looking through the (horse) feed and investigating how this could have happened.

“I had to go before stewards on Thursday and that was the first time in 48 years I have been called upon before stewards for a positive swab.”

Dillian has now been disqualified by stewards from its win in a race at Eagle Farm in April and a $5000 fine imposed on its trainers.

Originally published as ‘This isn’t a novelty or aberration’: Female jockeys set up for success in Queensland