The Queensland racing industry will again celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women over the next week with a range of activities to take place across the state.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, Racing Queensland has programmed a number of showcase meetings across each code to mark the occasion. They are:
- Greyhounds – Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club – March 8;
- Harness – Redcliffe Harness Racing Club – March 8; and
- Thoroughbreds – Cairns Jockey Club – March 14.
The Cairns Jockey Club meeting, which was scheduled to take place on March 8, was earlier today postponed to March 14 as a result of forecasted high temperatures in the region.
At each meeting, Queensland racing industry participants will be highly visible through specially commissioned handlers and strappers’ bibs, saddle cloths, harness colours, helmet covers and winners’ presentation rugs.
In addition, RQ will showcase a series of feature videos in the lead up to IWD, speaking to prominent participants from each code about female presence in the sport and the importance of International Women’s Day, which can be viewed below:
Racing Minister Grace Grace said she is proud to see the industry champion the outstanding contributions that women make to thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing.
“The Queensland racing industry continues to showcase the achievements of its vast number of outstanding female participants,” Minister Grace said.
“No matter the role, big or small – whether it’s as a trainers, driver, jockey, strapper or committee member – they all contribute to making the industry a richer environment.
“It is important that we as a collective celebrate International Women’s Day And recognise the incredible contribution women make each and every day, whilst providing a platform to help forge positive change for women.”
Over the last 12 months, the industry has celebrated a number of outstanding achievements by our female participants.
Our female hoops continue to star, with numerous instances across the state whereby women rode winners of every race on the card – including on October 23 where it happened twice on the same day.
In the metropolitan ranks, recently arrived international jockey Samantha Collett and gun apprentice Leah Kilner are regularly seen in the winners’ circle, while Stephanie Thornton claimed a maiden Group triumph in the 2021 TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival aboard Away Game.
In the harness code, the annual Team Teal campaign – which is presently running until March 14 – continues to shine a light on our female reinswomen, with every winning drive contributing $200 to gynecological and ovarian cancer research.
Further, 2021 saw sisters Dannielle Veivers and Narissa McMullen represent Queensland with distinction in the Australian Female Drivers’ Championships, finishing first and second respectively, while their sister-in-law Chantal Turpin finished second in the State Training Premiership.
A rising star of the greyhound training ranks, Jedda Cutlack has been no stranger to success since bursting on to the scene, claiming a maiden Group victory in December last year thanks to gun youngster Tungsten Miss.
RQ Deputy Chair Sharon Dawson said the racing industry had long understood the power of gender equality, ensuring men and women are able to compete against each other on a daily basis.
“It is vitally important that we continue to celebrate the contributions that our women make to the racing industry,” Ms Dawson said.
“Almost half a century ago, we saw Pam O’Neill fight for more than a decade to secure her jockey’s licence, paving the way for women to ride alongside men in Australia, and today we still see Pam play a leading role for women in racing.
“We are fortunate to have an abundance of high achieving female participants here in Queensland look forward to further success across all three codes in the coming 12 months.”