Latest News

By Julieanne Horsman

Rachel King has become only the second female jockey to win the $150,000 Listed Kristopher Graydon Jewellers Wagga Gold Cup with a dominant win aboard Stampede for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Jumping from barrier five, Stampede shot forward to take up the lead. By the turn for home, he had four lengths on the field.

Cool Chap and favourite Life Less Ordinary gave chase, but Stampede hung on to win by half a length.

“It was quite straight forward in the end,” King said. “He got a nice lead, travelled really well, we had a few easy sectionals down the back and from the 600m I let him quicken away.

“He gave me a good feel from the 600m and when I let out that bit of reign he lengthened his stride very quickly and dug deep.

“I could obviously hear them coming at the end but he is a tough horse and being trained by Gai Adrian he has that extra polish on him and he doesn’t know when to give up.”

The win was is the most significant of King’s career to date. The young hoop has been apprenticed to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for 18 months, having moved here from England.

“It’s exciting and good to get this one for the bosses and they’ve been such great supporters of me,” she said.

Kathy O’Hara was the first ever female jockey to win the Wagga Gold Cup aboard Voice Commander in 2011.

“It’s an honour to follow Kathy but I don’t think it’s going to be a rarity for much longer,” King said. “More girls are pursuing a career as a jockey and there are there are quite a few apprentices coming through the ranks.”

Rachel King will ride at her first Saturday metropolitan meeting at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Miss any of the action from Wagga Gold Cup Day? Watch free replays here.