They are among the best of the state’s young riders and they are hoping to join Australia’s horse racing greats. Each year Racing Victoria inducts a handful of aspiring jockeys into its four-year apprentice jockey training program. This year, that select group includes a record number of young women. Here, we talk to five of them about their passion and the sacrifices they make for their sport.
Jessica Eaton | 21
Lives in Caulfield and is apprenticed to Mick Price. She began riding aged 10 and, although she thought about studying law, becoming a jockey is now her focus.
“I worked at Flemington as a stablehand during year 10 to help pay for my own horses. My heart was set on eventing and I was quite naïve about racing. But seeing how the racehorses were cared for and treated was pretty special. When I began working for Mick, he encouraged me to apply for the apprenticeship program.
“A best friend in primary school rode and she got me into horses. Mum grew up in New Zealand and did quite a bit of riding there. I was driving to our local shopping centre with mum when I got the call to tell me I’d been selected for the program. I had some nerves then but it was pretty exciting.
“I sometimes start work at 4am – mucking out horseboxes for an hour – and by 5am I’m riding trackwork.
“During the week we do jumpouts, slow work, gallops. By 8.30am I’m hosing down the horses, feeding and watering them and sweeping the yard.
“I try to go to the gym a few times a week after work. My afternoon shift starts about 2pm for a few hours – walking the horses, feeding and watering and sweeping again.
“I think being a female in this industry is a challenge but if my riding is good enough I should get an opportunity.
“The dream is to ride in some group races and to win some. I’d like to be a leading female jockey and to encourage other young women to come through the program.
“I found legal studies interesting at school so maybe, once my riding career is over, I’ll head down that track.”
Lucinda Doodt | 17
Lives in Ballarat and is apprenticed to Mark Lewis. She developed a love for horses through pony club. She’s also a dancer.
“I was competing at Camperdown horse trials when I had a missed call. I rang back to be told I’d been chosen for the apprenticeship program. I applied last year and was disappointed when I missed out. This year I’ve got more experience.
“Mum and dad grew up with horses. Dad’s family run a stud and, like me, my two older sisters did pony club and eventing. I first got on a horse when I was two – I had a Shetland pony called Toby. By the time I was 12, I was working weekends at different stables. I love the temperament of horses – even the difficult ones. I like to build a connection with them.
“I’m up at 4.30am to start getting the horses ready. I’ll get the first horses in the water walker and give them a workout until about 9.30am. I’ll then have breakfast and a snooze. After that I help dad on the farm and sometimes go back to work in the afternoons.
“On Monday evening I do ballet for 2.5 hours, and on Thursday and Friday morning I go to school after work.
“I need to be organised to fit everything in, but riding and dancing are my loves. I was a Highland dancer from the age of three and won four state titles but I gave it up this year and now only do ballet.
“Riding and dancing keep me fit and help me keep my weight down. I eat healthy foods and I don’t miss meals – or I start to feel run down. But I like being busy and having my day filled with things to do. I have Sundays off so friends come over on Saturday night. My ultimate goal is to win the Melbourne Cup.”
Melissa Julius | 22
Apprenticed to Bill and Symon Wilde in Warrnambool. She joined her first pony club aged three.
“Horses have always been in our family. Dad was a jumps jockey in New Zealand and my nanna and pa have trained horses for years. Pa just ticked over 50 years of clerking at Warrnambool racecourse.
“I joined my local pony club at three and followed my brother into show jumping at 13. I was in the Victorian young rider show-jumping squad until I was 21.
“After high school I went to university to study health science but I prefer to work. My brother had a job at Wilde Racing and I began working here two years ago. I hadn’t been involved in racing so I started riding the quieter horses in the paddock and then learned how to ride on the track.
“I start work at 5am with our stable jumps jockey, Shane Jackson. We can ride 10 horses a day – galloping at the track, riding in the paddock or at the beach. I’d been here 18 months when I began thinking about becoming a jockey. I knew I’d regret not having a crack at it. I left school unsure of what I wanted to do but I can see myself being a jockey for years.
“I need sleep and I’m in bed by 9pm. I’m not the lightest weight and I watch what I eat. Riding every day keeps me fit but I go to the gym to strengthen my legs and core. I relax by visiting mum and dad on the farm – I’m a country girl.
“Racing at our big May carnival in Warrnambool would be amazing and I’d like to become an international jockey. Friends have asked if I’m scared about getting hurt but it doesn’t cross my mind. Mum is nervous but excited because she knows how much I want this. Dad just says, ‘You’ll be right’.”
Tahlia Hope | 15
Lives in Seymour and is an apprentice at the stables of her grandfather, Lee, and father, Shannon Hope. Her uncle is jockey Blake Shinn, and Craig Williams is her godfather.
“Ever since I can remember, there have been stables, ponies and horses in my life. I grew up going to the races with my uncle and watching replays of his races over and over. But last year was the first year I’d been to the Melbourne Cup – and it was so much better than watching it on TV. I was standing in the mounting yard and suddenly people next to me were jumping up and down and screaming and I wondered why. Then I saw Gai Waterhouse – she’d just won the big race.
“I always told my family I’d be a jockey. They said it was Blake drumming it into my head but by 13 I really knew it was what I wanted to do. When I said I was applying for the apprenticeship program, though, my grandpa and Blake said, ‘Do you realise how hard it is?’ They talked about being up at 4am and said it was dangerous. They made me stop and think, but they’re all on-side now. Blake helps me with my riding and tells me to always respect the trainers and owners.
“I start at the track at 4.30am. When I finish I go to school and afterwards I help out at the stables. I have Wednesday off school to go to the races.
“I do get tired and my social life consists of going to the races and talking to the trainers and jockeys. I work Monday to Saturday so don’t really have time to go shopping and to the movies, but most of my friends are in racing so they understand.
“My goal is to be the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, and I’d also like to win my hometown cup in Seymour.”
Chelsea Hall | 23
Lives in Stawell and is based at Terry and Karina O’Sullivan’s stables. A latecomer to racing, Hall hadn’t ridden a horse until two years ago. She had her first race rides at Gunbower on October 4, finishing third on Spanish Vixen in the Gunbower Cup.
“I wanted to be a secret agent but my more realistic plan was to be
a police officer. Because I didn’t finish VCE, I couldn’t join the police until I was 21, so I thought I’d work for a few years until I was old enough.
“A friend was in the racing industry and through them I became a stablehand. I’d saddle up horses, take horses to the races and be around the track riders and jockeys.
“I remember the first time I got on a horse. The father of one of the trainers I knew taught kids how to ride and had ex-racehorses at his property. I went there a few times a week and he taught me the basics. Whenever I fell off, I got back on and tried harder. I don’t give up.
“I applied for the apprenticeship program last year and was shattered not to get in but this year I was 100 times more ready. I can beacoplateron,butIcan’tbea jockey later.
“I’m a natural lightweight and don’t have to worry too much about what I eat. But your social life suffers. On Friday nights when friends are going out I’m tired so
I tend to hang around with people in the same industry. I start at 5am, work until noon and then go home, have lunch, and work again until 4.30pm.
“My parents were surprised whenIsaidIwantedtobea jockey. If I had a fall and came home with a black eye they’d tell me to be careful but they let me do what I want to do. The dream? To be the first girl to win the Melbourne Cup.”
