RAY THOMAS reports in the SYDNEY TELEGRAPH that these days she’s lucky to find a seat as the number of female riders surges to record levels. There are more than 100 apprentice jockeys riding in races across NSW and 53 per cent of them are women. Of the 150-plus wannabe jockeys just beginning their riding apprenticeship – but only allowed to compete in barrier trials – 63 per cent are female.

These are encouraging numbers in a sport often maligned as a male bastion.

At Rosehill Gardens today, O’Hara will have to share the facilities with young apprentices Courtney Van Der Werf, Jess Taylor and Winona Costin.

“It is great that so many girls are looking at a riding career in racing,” O’Hara said.

“I would love to see these girls come through their apprenticeship and stay in the Sydney riding ranks.”

The increasing number of teenage girls taking up a riding apprenticeship has resulted in a never-before seen phenomenon in horse racing circles – more female apprentices than males – and has created an unexpected problem for Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys.

“We have only just implemented a policy to ensure there are female jockeys rooms at every racetrack across NSW,” Mr V’landys said.

“The concern now is that, with the growing number of women taking up a riding apprenticeship, many female jockeys rooms are not big enough. But that is a pleasant problem.”

The reality is that many of these girls may not have a lengthy career. The long hours are exacting, particularly on teenagers.

STORY SOURCE: SYDNEY DAILY TELEGRAPH - NEWS LIMITED.