She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain: How Many Women Have Actually Raced in the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup – Australia's "race that stops a nation" (or at least makes everyone huddle around a telly for a bit). But amongst the thundering hooves and fancy hats, there's one question that keeps popping up: how many women jockeys have actually raced in the big one? Buckle up, because we're about to gallop into the history books.
Breaking the Mould: The Pioneering Ladies
For years, the Melbourne Cup jockey scene was about as diverse as a room full of white picket fences. Then, in 1987, Maree Lyndon became the first woman to ever ride in the Cup, steering Argonaut Style (who, we can only hope, had a very fashionable name for a racehorse) to a 20th place finish.
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
It took another 20 years before we saw two women jockeys in the Cup (dramatic music please). In 2007, Clare Lindop and Lisa Cropp both saddled up, with Lindop achieving a respectable fifth place finish.
Tip: Read actively — ask yourself questions as you go.
 |
| How Many Female Jockeys Have Raced In The Melbourne Cup |
Michelle Payne: The History Maker
 |
Now, let's talk about Michelle Payne. This champion jockey wasn't just there to make up the numbers. In 2015, she became the first woman EVER to win the Melbourne Cup, riding the 100/1 outsider Prince of Penzance to victory. That's right, folks, she defied the odds (and possibly some sexist stereotypes) in a way that would make Rocky Balboa proud.
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
Fast Forward: Women on the Rise
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
Since then, we've seen more women jockeys making their mark on the Melbourne Cup. Jamie Kah rode Prince of Arran to a third-place finish in 2021, proving that Payne wasn't a one-hit wonder. The future's looking bright for female jockeys in this race, and we can't wait to see them keep kicking down barriers (metaphorically speaking, of course – hopefully no actual barriers are getting kicked down).
FAQ: Your Burning Melbourne Cup Questions (with Pony-Sized Answers):
- How to become a jockey? Train hard, have a good sense of balance, and be prepared to spend a lot of time with horses (who are notoriously chatty creatures, by the way).
- How many jockeys can race in the Melbourne Cup? Only 24 jockeys get to compete, so it's a pretty exclusive club.
- How much do jockeys earn? It depends on their experience and win rate, but they can make a pretty good living (enough to afford a fancy hat for Cup Day, at least).
- How do horses get picked for the Melbourne Cup? They have to qualify by winning or placing in certain races throughout the year.
- How to watch the Melbourne Cup? Tune in to the telly (or find a pub with a big screen) on the first Tuesday in November. Just remember to wear something flashy – it's practically a law.
 |
