June 1st, 2022Jockey rooms for women

Thirteen racecourses across Victoria will receive jockey room upgrades to cater for the growing number of female jockeys.

The upgrades are needed to support the growing participation of female jockeys in the industry with the number of horses ridden by female jockeys increasing by over 15 per cent last year.
This project – expected to create 55 jobs during construction – will significantly improve the working environment and help encourage more women to participate in racing. Works across the state were informed by consultation with Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA), led by senior jockey and VJA Board Member Christine Puls. Upgrades at the clubs, will see several existing rooms extended and modernised to increase their capacity for all jockeys.
The racecourses receiving upgrades are a mix of large and smaller racecourses across the state. They include Ararat, Avoca, Bairnsdale, Benalla, Colac, Donald, Geelong, Horsham, Kilmore, Sale, Tatura, Terang and Wodonga.
Combined these clubs host 109 race meetings a year and are used by around 90 trainers and 350 horses.