Federal Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, will open the first stage of the Lady Jockeys Racing Museum at Ballina Jockey Club at 11am tomorrow (Saturday 10th December).

The Club has set up a display in the foyer setting out the history of the Iris Nielsen Ladies Invitational Race which is held each year to celebrate the life of the late Iris Nielsen the pioneer lady rider who lost her life in a race fall at the Lismore track in 1988.

The display contains racing artefacts and photographs of early races when prior to 1979, lady jockeys were not allowed to compete against the men.

The display also contains the portraits of the current members of the Lady Jockeys Hall of Fame. Two new members will be inducted at the next Iris Nielsen Raceday which will be held on Sunday, 29th January 2012.

The Club has been in discussions with the Federal Government for $5million funding to build the museum which would be the only museum in the world to hail the achievements of women jockeys and detail their struggle to obtain equality of opportunity with the men. There are 47 museums in the world dedicated to women’s causes-this will be the 48th.