Angela Jones has made history by becoming the first woman to clinch the Brisbane metro jockeys’ premiership. Heading into the final meeting at Doomben, she had secured 66 wins for the racing year, outpacing her closest competitor and friend, Emily Lang, by two victories. Although neither rider managed to achieve a win on the last day of the season, Jones was still awarded the prestigious trophy.
The 24-year-old has gained widespread recognition for her achievement, especially on social media, where many have praised her groundbreaking success. Jones has become a prominent figure in Queensland racing, with a significant portion of her career victories achieved while riding for leading trainer Tony Gollan.
Previously, the title had been dominated by James Orman, who had three consecutive premiership wins before Jones’s noteworthy accomplishment. In other parts of Australia, James McDonald claimed the NSW premiership with an impressive 83 metro wins this season, contributing to over $19 million in prizemoney. He notably triumphed in Group 1 events, such as the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Chipping Norton Stakes, aboard the champion mare Via Sistina.
Victorian honours were claimed by Blake Shinn, while the West Australian jockeys’ premiership was secured by the popular William Pike. The Australian racing season will officially restart on Friday, August 1, marking a new beginning for all competitors.