Female jockey Megan Dunseath’s slice of history at Warrnambool

Megan Dunseath has become the first female jockey to ride a winner over jumps during the Warrnambool carnival.

Megan Dunseath after winning on Lord Pierro.

Jockey Megan Dunseath had to dig as deep as her mount Lord Pierro to claim her slice of history at Warrnambool on Tuesday.

Dunseath became the first female jockey to ride a winner over jumps during the Warrnambool carnival when she got the Paul Preusker-trained Lord Pierro ($8.50) home in the Let’s Make It Grand Hurdle.

Dunseath said she tried to put aside the possibility of completing the historic feat as she prepared to pilot the six-year-old in Tuesday’s $50,000 contest.

“I got told yesterday, but I tried not to think about it,” Dunseath said.

Lord Pierro jumped perfectly but the inexperienced galloper needed all of Dunseath’s help to prevail by a long neck over the $31 shot Buffalo Bill.

Lord Pierro ridden by Megan Dunseath jumps a hurdle on the way to winning the Let's Make It Grand Maiden Hurdle at Warrnambool. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

“He’s such a tough horse, he really is,” an excited Dunseath said.

“I was like ‘they’re coming, they’re coming.’ But he got there.

“I got told yesterday, but I tried not to think about it. It was an unbelievable reception.”

The win on Lord Pierro’s was also Dunseath’s first in Australia after moving from Northern Ireland more than three years ago.

Dunseath said the Ballarat racing community has been a great help as she settled into Australian life.

“I arrived three-and-a-half years ago, I got sponsorship with (former jockey turned trainer) Richard Cully and I’ve been there (Ballarat) since,” Dunseath said.

“They’re all a brilliant help, they are. They’re all very good and very encouraging.”

Dunseath was able to celebrate soon after as Lord Pierro was her only ride of three-day Warrnambool carnival.

Originally published as Female jockey Megan Dunseath’s slice of history at Warrnambool