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Racing Victoria is welcoming the increased engagement, contribution and achievements of women in the thoroughbred racing industry as the world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8.

In the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry, women now represent;

• 23 per cent of jockeys (up from 10 per cent in 2005);

• 24 per cent of trainers (up from 19 per cent in 2005); and

• 49 per cent of stable employees (includes track riders and stablehands);

• whilst 40 per cent of Victorian race clubs are managed by women.

Following 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne’s elevation to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, RV Chief Executive Bernard Saundry said the industry was committed to being more inclusive and diverse and hoped Payne’s win would inspire more females to get involved in racing.

“On this International Women’s Day I want to acknowledge all the female participants who make a valued contribution to the success of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry from jockeys to trainers, stable employees, owners, breeders and administrators,” RV Chief Executive, Bernard Saundry, said.

“In particular, I would like to congratulate Michelle Payne on her numerous honours since her historic Melbourne Cup victory, including yesterday’s induction onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, and I am delighted that her talent, commitment and passion has been able to promote the increased engagement of women in the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry.

“Since Michelle’s historic Cup win we have experienced an increase in the number of enquiries from women interested in pursuing a career in racing and we were delighted to welcome a further six young female riders (out of a class of seven) into our Apprentice Jockey Training Program in January of this year.

“This continues a trend over the past decade that has seen the number of licensed female jockeys more than double within Victoria and our Apprentice Jockey Training Program progress to a position where we now effectively have an equal representation of male and female riders across our 50 students.”

Mr Saundry, who has recently been appointed to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s ‘Elite Sport Male Champions of Change’ group, added that he was pleased that racing was trending in the right direction to encourage more opportunities and pathways for women in racing across its many vocations.

Mr Saundry further explained that RV has recently launched a series of educational workshops as part of the organisation’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to recognise the unique contributions and perspectives that employees bring to the workplace. It is hoped that the pilot program can expand to sectors of the industry throughout 2016.

In light of recent media reporting regarding the publication of female jockey and trainer honorifics in form guides, Mr Saundry also took the opportunity today to confirm that RV is actively seeking for all form guides to be gender non-specific in recognition of the fact that participants compete as equals in the sport.

Mr Saundry also wished the Victorian Wakeful Club – a group of like-minded female racing enthusiasts – best wishes for their annual Lady of Racing Luncheon this Thursday with jockey Katelyn Mallyon and industry participants Cheryl McCarthy and Karen Morphett the finalists for the Club’s 21st Lady of Racing Award. With past winners ineligible, Payne is not among the finalists having claimed the honour in 2011.