Horse racing is one of the oldest and most popular sports in Australia. It has been enjoyed by generations of Australians, with the best female riders being some of the most admired athletes in the country.
The top Australian female jockeys are a diverse group, each with their own unique skills and talents that make them stand out from the rest. From their years of experience on racecourses to their impressive win-loss records, these women have earned a place among the best female jockeys in Australia.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes these riders unique and why they are considered among the top female jockeys in Australia.
Top Australian female jockeys so far
In the world of horse racing, a jockey is someone who rides horses in races. A jockey has to be a very good rider and have a lot of skills and experience. There are many different types of jockeys around the world, but in Australia, there are only a few women who have made their mark so far. The top five Australian jockeys who have been riding at the top level of the sport are:
1. Clare Lindop
Clare Lindop is one of the top female jockeys in Australia, having won numerous races and accolades throughout her career. She has also represented Australia at the international level, competing against some of the world’s best riders. With her experience and skill, Clare is an inspiration for aspiring female jockeys all over the country.
She raced in approximately 13,000 races, earned three South Australia jockey premierships, and in the 2008 Victoria Derby, she rode Rebel Raider to the first of her four Group 1 victories. Not only did Lindop and Rebel Raider leap from the parking lot, but the $101 horse also defeated the $1.75 favorite Whobegotyou by 2.5 lengths.
2. Kathy O’Hara
Kathy O’Hara is one of the best female riders in Australia and is often seen as a role model for aspiring young jockeys. Her success in the sport has inspired many other women to take up horse racing as a profession and to strive to reach the same heights that she has achieved.
Despite the high level of difficulty involved with winning a Group 1 race, Kathy O’Hara already has two Group 1 victories to her name as of mid-2020. However, she has a good chance to add to those victories.
She won her maiden Group 1 race on Ofcourseican in 2012. When notables like Hugh Bowman, Tim Clark, Jim Cassidy, and Tommy Berry were unable to get much from the horse, O’Hara was able to win a Group 1 on Ofcourseican. Ofcourseican’s victory came in one of his final races.
3. Jamie Kah
Jamie Kah stands out among female riders because she won two Group 1 events in the same calendar year. The Australian Cup on Harlem and the Makybe Diva Stakes on Gatting were the races that took place in 2019.
The Australian Cup victory was a slim one. The other jockeys in the race included a variety of current and potential hall-of-fame riders, and the face value was $31, one of the highest in the field. The Melbourne Cup winner Almandin, Shillelagh, Avilius, The Taj Mahal, and Rekindling were among the horses that left Western Australia that day, including Bill Pike.
4. Linda Meech
Linda Meech has added to her impressive resume with two Group 1 victories. Plucky Belle won the 2015 Coolmore Classic and the 2020 Oakleigh Plate with Pippie. In the Coolmore Classic, Meech made history riding for Peter Moody without being considered the favorite. In horse racing, female riders can also achieve great success.
5. Michelle Payne
Michelle Payne is one of Australia’s most successful female jockeys. Her career in horse racing spans over a decade, and she has achieved remarkable success. As one of Australia’s top female jockeys, she has won numerous prestigious races locally and internationally.
On Allez Wonder, Payne triumphed in the 2009 Toorak Handicap. They outbid 16 competitors, 11 of whom were priced lower, starting at $41. Payne was riding for none other than Bart Cummings when Hugh Bowman, Craig Williams, Tye Angland, Glen Boss, and Damien Oliver found themselves behind her at Caulfield.
Conclusion
Australian female jockeys have made a significant impact in the world of horse racing. From the early days of racing to the present day, female riders have consistently been amongst the top performers in this sport. In this list, we simply present those names that have appeared most frequently so far, and we hope it provides inspiration to those who aren’t familiar with the sport of horse racing.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.