Women in Thoroughbred Racing NT are proud to raise funds throughout the year for the purpose of supporting the advancement of female industry participants. We have been incredibly lucky to use these funds to assist numerous organisations and individuals alike over the years with our funds assisting training and development opportunities, the purchase of important safety equipment, and programs to support horses in finding a fulfilling life after racing.
The association has been a long-term sponsor of Taminmin College and the work Trudie Clarke undertakes with her students completing a Certificate II in Racing. WTRNT has donated over $10,000 to Taminmin College to date, with funds going towards a variety of opportunities for the students. Our support has enabled enrolled students to undertake interstate excursions where they have been introduced to the broader aspects of racing, as well as the purchase of important equipment such as saddles, stirrups, and bridles.
As the Territory’s newest female trainer, Chloe Baxter has had a stellar start to her career, taking out a win with First Crusade on Chief Minister’s Cup Day in 2022 in only her second start as named trainer. Chloe dreams of opening a small boutique stable in the Top End and is excited about her long-term future in Darwin. WTRNT have provided Chloe with a donation of $1,000 towards her Certificate III and Certificate IV in Racing. Chloe completed her Certificate III in May 2022 and has recently followed it up with her Certificate IV.
WTRNT has recently purchased a share in one of Chloe’s horses, Aplomado, and we’re so excited to share in Chloe’s successes.
Emma is a thoroughly passionate up-and-coming young industry participant, and our latest female apprentice jockey to sign up in the Territory. Emma’s enthusiasm for becoming a jockey saw her sign her apprenticeship paperwork on the day of her 16th birthday in May 2022.
In 2020, WTRNT provided Emma a $300 voucher to Garrards, with the purpose of buying herself a new riding vest, as a very excitable 14-year-old Emma had been wearing a second-hand vest from her trainer, Phil Cole. Then in 2022, we were thrilled to give Emma a further voucher of $500 to Hylands Sportswear to purchase more equipment to support her career move into race riding.
A very accomplished young horsewoman, Dakota Gillett is another of the Territory’s rising apprentice jockeys. Dakota has signed on with Razor Racing, managed by her parents Terry and Leanne Gillett, and is a bright spark to look out for around Alice Springs. At only sixteen years of age Dakota has grown up around horses and is a skilled horsewoman across multiple disciplines.
At our 2022 Sparkles in the Red Centre event, WTRNT were excited to donate a $500 voucher for Markey’s Saddlery to Dakota in hopes it will help her to build the enormous kit she will need as a jockey.
Riding horses since she was young, it was only natural that Jade would aspire to become a jockey. Taking on her apprenticeship in February 2022 under the guidance of Tayarn Halter, Jade’s career is taking off in leaps and bounds. Jade managed to out-ride her 4kg claim after what feels like only a handful of meets and is showing no sign of stopping taking out two wins and numerous places across her first Darwin Cup Carnival. Jade was the beneficiary of a $500 voucher to Hylands Sportswear at our Christmas Lunch in December 2021. Jade is also a wonderful supporter of WTRNT, and has donated her time to share her jockey’s bag with our members, and educate them on the equipment required for a race day, Jade is always available for a chat, and we are so thrilled to share this journey with her.
A hugely important aspect of thoroughbred racing is ensuring these wonderful racehorses are looked after in their life after racing. WTRNT are proud supporters of TRNT’s Off the Track program which supports racehorses in their transition to retirement and builds strong partnerships between the racing industry and the community. In early 2022, WTRNT donated $1000 to Off the Track to assist them in continuing their ongoing support of the rehoming and re-training of thoroughbreds, as well as their commitment to horse welfare.
In early 2022, WTRNT held a Gin Tasting event in conjunction with Charlies of Darwin, where a portion of all ticket sales were donated to the National Jockeys Trust. With the generous support of our ticketholders and event partner, Bec Bullen from Charlie’s, WTRNT were able to donate $550 to the National Jockeys Trust.
A team of 8 school aged competitors have been selected by Equestrian Northern Territory (ENT) to compete at the Australian Interschool Championships in 2022 and represent the Top End. ENT is a proud supporter of off the track (OTT) thoroughbreds, with the team taking down an OTT called ‘Life’s A Gamble’. WTRNT have supported this experience to the value of $1,000, with hopes that these young competitors and their families continue to support life after racing for thoroughbreds.
Alice came to Darwin in 2020 as an apprentice jockey under Phil Cole, and at our Christmas Luncheon in 2020 was awarded a $300 voucher for Garrards for the purpose of purchasing a new riding vest. Alice went on to win the WTRNT Female Jockey of the Year Award for 2020/21 under her then master, Gary Clarke. After recovering from a fall in 2021, Alice has returned to her home of South Australia to complete her apprenticeship. We hope to see Alice return to the NT to ride in the future.
One of our first education grants was given to Felicia Bergstrand, who at the time was a leading female jockey in the NT and was looking to transition into becoming a horse trainer. Felicia received support of $500 towards her trainers license during 2019 and after spending some time in the Territory, is now running a boutique family stable in Queensland.
