Stacey Edwards has grown up with horses, but it is only thanks to a new initiative to get children interested in a career in the racing industry that she decides to become a jockey.
“When I did my first pony race, I really wanted to be a jockey after that, and that made my dreams a little more real and possible,” he said.
The 13-year-old from Casterton, in south-west Victoria, came first in the National Pony Racing Series small pony finals last Saturday at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse, riding Napoleon.
“I almost cried before I ran because I was so nervous,” she said.
“I was happy to even get there, let alone win – it was a very close finish.”
Racing in the spotlight
Like many young people in regional areas, Stacey had competed in pony clubs and show jumping events, but never considered horse racing as an option despite her mother being a trainer and her sister a jockey.
The National Pony Racing Series, launched last year by Thoroughbred Industry Careers, held trial days and then training days at major metropolitan racecourses, such as Morphettville, earlier this year.
Thoroughbred Industry Careers was founded in 2019 after research showed there was low racing awareness in the horse racing industry, even among those already involved with horses.
“We reach out and interact with kids who are great riders and show them our world, the world of racing, and say, ‘Did you know you can do all these different jobs?'” founder Lindy Maurice said.
“Because in the racing industry we want great people to take care of the horses.”
While in Sydney, the finalists also attended the elite Godolphin stables and learned about other racing-related jobs, as well as being a jockey, which depends on being light weight.
“If you love horses and have a passion for them and want to do something you’re passionate about, there’s something for everyone,” Maurice said.
Excitement in Casterton
Children can become apprentice jockeys at age 16 in most states, but Stacey’s mother, Kaye, would like her to finish in Year 12.
Casterton Racing Club president Mark Davis is investigating whether Stacey could lead the horses in the Casterton Cup next month.
“She’s got the town buzzing with the excitement of it all,” Mr. Davis said.
Stacey said it was good to promote horse racing in a town where football was the main game.
“Pretty much the whole town of Casterton has been really good at cheering me on until the end and to be honest I couldn’t have done it without Casterton,” she said.
“They helped me get there, doing little things or helping us as much as they could; it was very, very good.”
Stacey is a member of the Millicent Pony Club in South Australia, a state she represented in the final.
The big pony final was won by Emilia Savage from New South Wales.
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