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WORDS: MARK BRASSEL IMAGES: BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHERS

NEW SOUTH WALES IS BLESSED WITH A LONG LIST OF PROMISING YOUNG JOCKEYS RISING RAPIDLY THROUGH THE RANKS – AND THEY’RE BOOTING HOME WINNERS GALORE!

Pictured at Goulburn races were (L-R): Hannah Williams, Coriah Keatings, Jade McKenzie, Amy McLucas, Molly Bourke, Olivia Chambers

Riverina lass Molly Bourke is just one of an incredible array of promising young female jockeys riding in New South Wales where they command 66% (50 of 76) of the total list of apprentices.

No doubt a contributing factor is their inherent smaller stature with a lengthy list of 25 female apprentices having booted home 10 winners or more in the 2023/24 racing season.

And Bourke has been one of the leaders with the apprentice in blazing form having guided home 38 winners this season.

Molly scored three doubles during June (Wagga, Warwick Farm and Wyong), along with a city double last month aboard One Destiny and Ningaloo Star at Royal Randwick.

This prompted One Destiny’s trainer Gary Nickson to say: “Molly’s an absolute champion. She has just lost her 3kg claim after this win, but I told her she can ride any of mine without any claim!”

The following offers an insight into some of New South Wales’ up-and-coming riders:

MOLLY BOURKE, 21
Has ridden 126 winners (21 Metropolitan and 13 Provincial) with three wins on Ningaloo Star including one at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day and three city wins on One Destiny.

Molly Bourke

Highlights
Moruya Cup (Crackerlacka), Albury Mile (Zakeriz), Adaminaby Cup (She’s All In), Wagga Aggies Cup Day treble (Dash to the Bar, Mouse Almighty & Tinge of Ginge), Melbourne Cup Day at Royal Randwick (Ningaloo Star) and Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens (Elettrica).

Where were you born & raised? Born at Wagga Base Hospital and raised on a farm in Tooma a small town close to Tumbarumba.
Where did you ride your first winner? Wagga Wagga on Mouse Almighty.
What is your biggest or most memorable win? Winning on Melbourne Cup Day at Royal Randwick (Ningaloo Star) – the atmosphere is amazing, and the great owners made it more special. Also, trainer John Sargent told he would take me on as his apprentice just before the race.
What’s the one race you’d like to win? The Kosciuszko because it’s such a meaningful race for country trainers and such a big thrill for them to win it.
Favourite racetrack? If I was talking country, I would say Tumut as I just love the crowd there and the atmosphere. Country racedays are always a fun and relaxed day of racing. In the city I would have to say Canterbury Park.
What hobbies do you have outside racing? I used to love playing Rugby League but had to stop as I just don’t have the time. I also love camp drafting and showjumping.
Where do you consider your dream holiday? I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand or Tasmania.
What’s your favourite band/music? I really love old country music, especially a bit of Dolly Parton or Garth Brooks!
Favourite food and favourite drink? Bacon and cheese loaded fries and Pepsi Max.
Who’s your favourite team? South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.

HANNAH WILLIAMS, 23
Ridden 108 winners (6 Metropolitan and 4 Provincial) with three wins on Banger at Wagga (twice) and in the Corowa Cup.

Hannah Williams

Highlights
Corowa Cup & Stan Sadlier Stakes (Banger), Corowa Cup (Hemmerle), Tocumwal Cup (Sizzleonthebridge), Tuggeranong Cup (Merisi) and TAB Federals (Major Time & Calescent).

Where were you born & raised? Born in Wodonga, Victoria and raised on the farm near a little town called Bethanga.
Where did you ride your first winner? First winner was at Wagga on a filly called Mythical Goddess.
What is your biggest or most memorable win? There are so many that I hold close to me. Winning my first Highway on Penthouse (Hawkesbury Cup Day) for Matt Dale was a huge thrill, and I then won another Highway on the horse at Randwick. But I think winning the Stan Sadlier Stakes on Banger for my old boss Craig Widdison was pretty special. I had a lot to do with the stable early days, it was like winning for family.
What’s the one race you’d like to win? There’s a long list but realistically I’d be wrapped to win a Wagga Town Plate.
Favourite racetrack? Probably Wagga Wagga as it’s such a lovely big open track.
What hobbies do you have outside racing? If I’m not riding racehorses, I’m out riding my own horses – so between the two I don’t have much time for anything else.
Where do you consider your dream holiday? Anywhere it’s warm, but California would be pretty cool!
What’s your favourite band/music? I don’t really have one. Probably a little bit of everything – I’m a real podcast fan at the moment.
Favourite food and favourite drink? An absolute fan of Italian food and a good wine, however, it doesn’t get on the menu very often!

CORIAH KEATINGS, 23
Ridden 52 winners (1 Metropolitan) with four wins on Toes in the Water (including first city win at Rosehill Gardens, Canberra, Nowra & Goulburn) and four victories on Epaullo Creed (Sapphire Coast, Young, Moruya and Nowra).

Coriah Keatings

Highlights
First Metropolitan win on Toes in the Water (Rosehill Highway), Wellington Cup (Lockdown Gamble), Bombala Cup (Look Only) and TAB Federals (Starliv, Toes in the Water and Major Time).

Where were you born & raised? Born and raised in a small country town outside of Albury on my family’s farm.
Where did you ride your first winner? Gundagai on Hit’em Hard for my first boss, Donna Scott.
What is your biggest or most memorable win? Winning a Highway at Rosehill on Toes in the Water. It was amazing and quite overwhelming. A lot went into it, and it meant a lot as she’s my favourite filly in the stable. I know she’s really tough, so I had belief in her. Another of my favourite memories have been winning three in a row on Epaullo Creed who is owned by my partner’s family.
What’s the one race you’d like to win? Either the Kosciuszko or the Country Championships; giving back to the grassroots and our country trainers.
Favourite racetrack? Canberra Racecourse as I’ve had a lot of success there and have great support from the local trainers.
What hobbies do you have outside racing? I love training at ‘High Definition Gym’ with my personal trainer, Hannah Rolando.
Where do you consider your dream holiday? Anywhere I can sit by the pool/beach in warm weather with a cocktail!
What’s your favourite band/music? Morgan Wallen (American Country Music singer).
Favourite food and favourite drink? Steak and any fizzy drink.
Who’s your favourite team(s)? Collingwood in the AFL and Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL.

JADE McKENZIE, 22
Ridden 9 winners (1 Provincial) with a win at Kembla Grange aboard Napoleon Solo and a winning double at Moruya in April on Fire and Gemstone & Huddersfield

Jade McKenzie

Highlights
Won Country Boosted races on Lord Remy, Free State and Huddersfield.

Where were you born & raised? Wagga Wagga
Where did you ride your first winner? Queanbeyan
What is your biggest or most memorable win? My first provincial ride at Kembla Grange winning on Napoleon Solo.
Favourite racetrack? I like riding at both the Sapphire Coast and Moruya.
What hobbies do you have outside racing? Barrel racing.
Favourite food and favourite drink? Chicken schnitzel with chips and gravy. And I like drinking Solo.

AMY McLUCAS, 24
Ridden 160 winners (29 Metropolitan and 23 Provincial). Claimed two winning doubles in the city last October on the Kensington Track with Iknowastar & Loves Me Likearock (4 October) and Iknowastar & No Statement (18 October). Also won a race at Moonee Valley on Unflinching.

Amy McLucas

Highlights
The Country Classic (Marsabit), Guy Walter (Lady Kah), TAB Federals (Banger, Merc & Meg), Narooma Cup (Whisky’n’diamonds), Adaminaby Cup (Bid of Faith), South Coast Cup-Sapphire Coast (Urjuwaan), Wagga Whiz (Underwood) and Belle of the South-Nowra (Silk Tie).

Where were you born & raised? Born in Canberra and raised in Moruya.
Where did you ride your first winner? At Moruya.
What is your biggest or most memorable win? Most memorable win would have to be my first winner (Atomic Blast) in my hometown.
What’s the one race you’d like to win? The Golden Slipper.
Favourite racetrack? Royal Randwick.
What hobbies do you have outside racing? Absolutely nothing!
Where do you consider your dream holiday? Greece.
What’s your favourite band/music? Luke Combs (American country music singer & songwriter).
Favourite food and favourite drink? Love pasta and caramel latte.
Who’s your favourite team? Canberra Raiders in the NRL.

OLIVIA CHAMBERS, 22
Ridden 74 winners (7 Provincial; 6 Kembla Grange and 1 at Wyong).

Olivia Chambers

Highlights
Queen of the South-Wagga (In De Summertime), Sapphire Coast Cup (Flying Basil), TAB Federals (Get Shafted, Who But Roo, Spitfire & Emma’s Gift) and the McDash at Wellington (Gorush Lightning).

Where were you born & raised? I was born in Sydney, but we moved to the Southern Highlands when I was about 18 months old and have been here ever since.
Where did you ride your first winner? My first winner was Gorush Lightning for Michael Gatty at Moruya.
What is your biggest or most memorable win? Winning on In De Summertime in the Queen of the South for Keith Dryden during the Wagga Cup Carnival would have to be a highlight. Also winning on the same day in the final race with Acappella Sun for Matt Dale.
Favourite racetrack? Royal Randwick obviously being one of the best, but I do love racing at Sapphire Coast despite the long trip.
What hobbies do you have outside racing? I’ve always showjumped so when I have free time as I have a few horses at home to jump on.
Where do you consider your dream holiday? Anywhere in Europe would be nice.
Favourite food and favourite drink? Italian is a go to, but nothing beats chocolate ice cream!