Female Jockeys on the Rise: A New Era in Victorian Racing

Victoria is witnessing an unprecedented surge in female jockeys, as a new generation of riders is inspired by trailblazers like Michelle Payne and Jamie Melham. With women now making up 77% of Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training Program, the industry is seeing a remarkable shift toward greater female representation in the sport.

Out of the 40 aspiring jockeys currently enrolled in the program, an impressive 31 are women. This marks a significant increase from the 2014-15 racing season when female participation stood at just 48%. Racing Victoria credits this growth to the visibility of successful female jockeys who have broken barriers and rewritten the narrative for women in racing.

Michelle Payne’s historic Melbourne Cup victory in 2015 paved the way, proving that women could compete at the highest level. Jamie Melham (formerly Kah) further cemented this progress by becoming the first jockey—male or female—to secure 100 metropolitan wins in a single Melbourne racing season in 2020-21.

The momentum isn’t just about numbers—it’s about opportunity. The broader equestrian community has long been female-dominated at grassroots levels, with pony clubs and riding schools primarily filled with young girls. Now, that early passion is translating into professional careers, as trainers and owners increasingly place their trust in female riders.

Jaylah Kennedy, a fourth-year apprentice with Racing Victoria, knows firsthand how much representation matters.

"I was lucky to grow up watching women succeed in the sport," the 23-year-old said. "Seeing jockeys at the jump-outs, I loved the buzz of it, the speed, the adrenaline."

With a family steeped in racing, Kennedy’s journey feels almost inevitable, but she acknowledges that the pathway for women today is clearer than ever.

Kennedy counts Payne and Melham among her role models, along with international figures like Rachel King, the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race in Japan, and New Zealand’s Sam Collett and Lisa Allpress. Her personal highlight so far? Winning last year’s Ballarat Cup aboard Berkeley Square. "Being able to ride most Saturdays through the Spring Carnival was a dream come true," she added.

The rise of female jockeys is also reflected in the broader racing statistics. Over the past decade in Victoria:

• The number of female jockeys—both senior and apprentice—has increased by 45%.
• The percentage of race starters ridden by women has doubled.
• Total race rides and wins by female jockeys have also seen a near 100% and 88% increase, respectively.

This progress hasn’t happened by chance. Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison highlights industry-wide efforts to ensure women not only enter the sport but thrive within it. Initiatives like a $10.5 million upgrade of female jockey rooms across the state and the Jockey Maternity Support Program are aimed at making racing more inclusive.

"Racing is one of the few sports where men and women compete on equal footing, which makes it pretty special," Morrison said.

The rise of female jockeys shows no signs of slowing down. Jamie Melham is set to ride Goldrush Guru in the upcoming Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 1, going head-to-head with her husband, Ben Melham, who will be aboard early favourite Angel Capital.

One thing is clear: the future of racing is no longer just about tradition. It’s about progress, and the women leading the charge are proving they belong every step of the way.