Women hit their stride in racing
Women are fast gaining ground in the once-blokey racing world and claiming their place among the leaders.
In one of the few sports where all genders compete as equals, women are consistently stepping up to a wide range of roles across the different types of racing.
In WA greyhound racing, mother and daughter Christine Robartson and Jodee Jennings have more than half a century of experience between them as owners, trainers and kennelhands.
Christine said greyhound racing had long been a family sport but, over the years, she had seen women grow more comfortable with taking the lead.
“I was 28 when I first got a licence in greyhound racing and I’m 70 now,” she said.
“There were a few women trainers around when I started but now there are a lot more.
“My husband Dave and I share the jobs and we have always been a team. Dave and Jodee do the race day work, I do more therapy work and meals.
“We are competitive people so we like the racing side but care for the animals is just as important.
“It’s great working with Jodee. She’s good with animals, so tolerant and patient, just like she is at school as a special needs assistant.”
Jodee divides her time between helping her parents with the dogs at their property near Mandurah and her work at a local primary school, where greyhounds sometimes visit on special occasions.
“I love working with animals. My favourite part is they’re always happy to see you,” she said
“You can be grumpy and sad but that never lasts, they make you happy.”
In horse racing, the traditional sport of kings, women are now vying for the throne.
Former jockey Kate Southam has moved on from a successful career in the saddle to a job as RWWA Racing Training Coordinator, where she continues to inspire young women to take up the sport.
Kate, who hated sport as a child, now promotes the importance of acknowledging and embracing gender variety and health in sports.
“Something that is becoming more talked about now is the difference in male and female health and physiology,” she said.
“Endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) play a big part. PCOS made it difficult for me to maintain a certain weight and these are things male riders and drivers don’t have to deal with.
“Female jockeys, and sportswomen, have to work even harder and be strong mentally. There are ways to manage it but things like that need to be talked about more.”
In harness racing, Deni Roberts and Emily Suvaljko are the powerhouse reinswomen representing Western Australia in the 2023 Team Teal campaign.
The duo look set to break last year’s record of 35 wins for WA with their exceptional skills as they race to raise funds for gynecological cancer research.
Emily was born into a racing family but has forged her own place in harness history.
She holds the record for the most winners of any WA female driver and was the first WA woman to drive 100 winners in a season, which she attributes to a simple love of winning.
“It’s just the adrenaline and I love that feeling, especially when you have personal connections,” Emily said.
“That gives you that extra bit of thrill, but it’s just that feeling of wanting more. All trotting people are a little bit greedy and one is never enough.”
In 2022, Deni joined Emily, with two other female drivers, to break the record for the number of women in the WA Pacing Cup field.
Deni was introduced to the trots at six years old, had her first track run at 14 and has risen through the ranks to a highly competitive level.
Regularly stepping up as WA ambassador for Team Teal, Deni is an advocate for women’s health and says women in racing propel each other to be their best.
“Emily and I are super competitive and the friendly rivalry within the group always pushes us to achieve great results,” she said.