Female jockeys taking over

The number of female jockeys in New Zealand is steadily rising, and expected to soon overtake the number of male jockeys.

Female riders now fill four of the top six places in this season’s Jockey Premiership.

Over the past 20 years the number of female jockeys has risen about 14 per cent to now make up 44 per cent of riders across all categories.

NZ Racing chief executive Bernard Saundry, said in the next five to 10 years there would be more female than male jockeys.

“When we look at the number of young apprentices coming into the system, I can see female jockeys playing a greater role and having a greater presence than males in future.”

New Zealand is a world leader with its high numbers of female trainers and jockeys, and Saundry said that was evident in the Jockey Premiership this season.

“Based on the stats that come from not only Australia, but other parts of the world, it’s something that is a world first and something that New Zealand should be very proud of in the way it promotes its female jockeys.”