Women have always been enthusiastic spectators at racing events throughout Australia’s history. For a long time they were not permitted to do much more than that. In colonial times, even though women were often acknowledged as outstanding riders and experts with horses, the men who made the rules of racing made it impossible for women to participate fully in the sport. Only in more recent times did this really begin to change.
In the 1960s, the Victoria Racing Club agreed to award training licences to women. Now there is an equitable field for male and female trainers.
In 1979, female jockeys were granted the right to race against men in thoroughbred races in Australia. From 1973 to 1979, women were only allowed to race against each other and, prior to that, not permitted to ride in professional horseraces at all! Now there are no restrictions, and racing is one of the few sports where males and females compete together.
Gai Waterhouse celebrates with her father Tommy Smith
Photograph courtesy of the Herald Sun 
Gai Waterhouse celebrates with her father Tommy Smith
Photograph courtesy of the Herald Sun
