Racing misogynist jokes anger Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page

MAGIC Millions co-owner Katie Page has rubbished suggestions men are still pulling all the reins in racing despite an upsurge of female buyers.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 10: Katie Page Harvey attends the 2015 Jeep magic Millions Race day and VIP Moet and Chandon Marquee at the Gold Coast Turf Club on the Gold Coast, 10th January 2015. Photo by Gaye Gerard

MAGIC Millions co-owner Katie Page has rubbished suggestions that men are still pulling all the reins despite a huge upsurge of female buyers at the Gold Coast carnival.

In the past four years the Magic Millions Racing Women initiative has had such an effect that 63 per cent of all registrations this year are for women racing fillies.

However since Mrs Page introduced the concept of a $500,000 bonus for women owners, many have joked that men are still running the show in the background.

GAI LOOKS FOR MILLION DOLLAR BABY

“Listen, you come and talk to some of these women, they are the ones making decisions on these horses, they take it very seriously,” she told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Gai Waterhouse inspects a yearling at Magic Millions. Picture: Mike Batterham

“You’re going to hear stuff like that, but we’re quite capable of buying horses.

‘‘It really gets to me, people saying things like that because it brings women down.

“It should have always been like this. At the end of the day they’re going to buy a horse that looks good, that they think can win a race.

‘‘Whether it’s a filly or a colt, I think what’s important is the number of women buying horses now.”

Mrs Page, who runs the internationally famous carnival with husband and fellow Harvey Norman boss Gerry Harvey, said it has been obvious the program was something women were waiting for, with female numbers growing year on year and totalling 437 since 2012.

This year has seen a record number of women participants, jumping 20 per cent on last year’s figures with 126 eligible 2YOs targeting the bonus.

Of those, 212 women are first time owners.

Australia’s first lady of racing, trainer Gai Waterhouse, has registered ten 2YOs for the initiative and among them are 33 women who are first-time owners.

Mrs Page said she cannot wait for Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne to meet Racing Women ambassador and patron, British royal Zara Phillips.

Jockey Michelle Payne has been a leading force for women in racing. pic Jenny Evans

“In one fell swoop that girl (Michelle) became this superstar around the world,” she said.

“People all around the world in different walks of life, not just racing, were talking about Michelle Payne.

“She stands for all those women out there who think they can’t make it, in any career, not just racing.”