Tasmania to host female jockey challenge

Tasmania is set to host the first Australian Female Jockey Championship under lights at Launceston later this season.

The event, to be held on March 7 next year, will feature two female jockeys from each state and one representing the Northern Territory in a four-race competition at the night meeting.

Sky Racing will be the naming rights partner for the event.

“Racing has led the way in enabling females to compete equally with males and it is a testament to some of the female trailblazers of our sport,” Tasracing chief executive officer Vaughn Lynch said on the Tasracing website.

“The race meeting, held on the eve of International Women’s Day on Thursday 8 March, will provide us with an opportunity to celebrate and promote female participation in thoroughbred racing.”