In recognition of International Women’s Day, Racing Victoria is celebrating an increase in female engagement and the significant contribution of women to the thoroughbred racing industry.

At the halfway mark of the 2016-17 racing season, there are more female jockeys riding in Victoria than ever before, whilst the number of starters prepared by female trainers has also increased through the past six months.

In delivering its 2016-17 half-yearly performance overview, RV can reveal that:

• 24.2% of active jockeys in Victoria are female – up from 20.5% in the first half of the 2015-16 racing season;

• 63% of female jockeys in Victoria have ridden a winner this season – up from 55.7% in the first half of 2015-16;

• Female jockeys had a collective 3,002 rides in Victoria in the first half of the season – an increase of 658 (or 28%) from the first six months of 2015-16;

• 20 of the 45 apprentice jockeys based in Victoria are female;

• 20% of active trainers in Victoria are female;

• Female trainers had a collective 2,111 starters in Victoria in the first half of the season – an increase of 142 (or 7.2%) from the first six months of 2015-16;

• 26% of active Victorian owners are female; and

• 28 of Victoria’s 67 Country Racing Clubs are managed by females.

RV Acting Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to shine a light on the many females who continue to make a valuable contribution to the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry.

“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, trainers and stable employees, through to owners, breeders and administrators,” Thompson said.

“Racing is one of the few professional sports where male and female athletes compete alongside each other equally so it’s particularly satisfying to see a continued increase in the representation of females in our jockey ranks.

“This is complemented by significant advancements by women off the track, none more pertinent than the recent historic appointment of Amanda Elliott to the position of Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club.

“While racing boasts level terms of competition and equal pay for equal performance, RV is committed to increasing female representation at all levels and roles within the sport to achieve gender equality.

“We are pleased to announce that RV has recently launched the No Barriers, No Limits project to identify any potential barriers to gender equality in the industry through research, consultation and education.”

The No Barriers, No Limits - Diversity and Inclusion Project is chaired by RV’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jane Ballantyne, and seeks input from industry participants and stakeholders to advance gender diversity in Victorian thoroughbred racing.

RV also has a representation on the Elite Sport Male Champions of Change group, convened by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, which aims to achieve gender equality in organisations.

These initiatives come at the conclusion of the inaugural RV and Tabcorp Joint Women’s’ Mentoring Program, which was designed to foster the growth and development of women in racing.