Inspirational Aboriginal jockey hopes others will Roz up and join her
Like everyone in the racing world, the Bynder family like to be first.
The late Ascot racing identity Rod Bynder was Western Australia’s first Aboriginal trainer and first to win a Group One race. His daughter Roz was the first Aboriginal woman in the state to become a jockey.
Reflecting on NAIDOC Week 2021, Roz said she had seen a huge rise in the number of women forging careers in the racing world but the change for Aboriginal people had been less dramatic.
“Dad was a proud Aboriginal man and his racing colours were red, yellow and black to reflect his heritage,” Roz said.
“I was born into racing, grew up at Ascot and I was raised tough. Dad said I had to ride like a boy to make it.
“I started riding track work when I was 12 or 13 and I rode in my first amateur race when I was 17.
“I have always felt accepted as part of the racing community. There has never been a time when I have not been welcomed and given opportunities.”
However, she discovered an even more welcoming and enthusiastic community while riding in WA’s remote and regional areas as an apprentice jockey.
“When I started riding up north, the Aboriginal communities really rallied around me,” she said.
“I rode so well in front of Aboriginal people because I felt like a celebrity. I thrived on their encouragement.
“One day at the Dongara Cup a little Aboriginal girl followed me around all day. She was too shy to speak to me but I felt like a star.
“At the end of the day, I gave her the whip I carried in a race I’d won and she said her name was Shaniece.
“A few years later in Roebourne a teenage girl came up to me and said: ‘I still have your whip’.”
Meeting Shaniece Ball was the start of a new chapter in Roz’s life. She was drawn into an Aboriginal family involved in regional racing, introduced to Dwayne Ball and they had a daughter Charli, who is cousin to Shaniece.
“I hope I’ve been a role model for both women and Aboriginal people in racing,” Roz said
“There weren’t many girls riding track when I grew up but now I see so many girls coming through as apprentice jockeys. I’d love to see more Aboriginal people involved as well. Aboriginal culture is strongly linked to land and animals and Aboriginal people have an affinity with horses.”
Roz riding Wayward Warrior in Port Hedland, wearing her father’s Aboriginal-themed racing colors. Picture: The West Australian
The contribution of Aboriginal people to stock work across Australia is well recognised but it hasn’t translated into a similarly strong presence in wider equestrian pursuits.
Roz acknowledges racing is a tough industry, which demands relentless discipline and comes with high costs but the success of Aboriginal footballers shows what can be achieved.
Her current partner is former Aussie rules footballer Wayne Ryder and they have a young son, Hudson, who shows signs of following Roz’s sporting path rather than his dad’s.
“All communities have to be open minded and open hearted in creating change and opportunities,” she said.