Female riders dominate Kilcoy jockey ranks
The emergence of female jockeys in Queensland was emphasised with twice as many as their male counterparts riding at the Kilcoy meeting.
It is believed to be the first time women riders have outnumbered men at a major Queensland TAB meeting.
There were 20 women riders ranging in experience from veteran Sky Bogenhuber to TAB meeting debutantes Angela Taylor and Tess Townsend.
Male jockeys numbered 10 which created a problem for the separate changing rooms with the women’s facility too small.
Kilcoy is in the process of upgrading its women jockeys’ facilities which should be completed in the next few months.
Kilcoy president Con Searle said the new facilities were needed because of the large number of women riders in Queensland.
“Plans for an extension to the women’s jockeys room have been with the local council and we expect the go- ahead any day,” he said.
“For this meeting we have arranged things so women riders can change in their room and then use the verandah to relax.
“But it is a sign of things to come. There is going to be a shortage of male riders before too long.”