The ancient sport of horse racing includes thoroughbred racing, where horses are ridden by jockeys, and harness racing, where drivers operate two-wheel carts. Horse owners employ trainers who prepare horses for racing and stewards to enforce regulations. While participants in these sports have, historically, been primarily male, women have played important roles in the sport even prior to their legal entry. By the 1950s, Wartha Davis had become a leading American jockey, and in 1964 an American female jockey was successful in obtaining her license under the Civil Rights Act. It was not until 1974 that women were permitted jockey licenses in Australia, and England's Victorian racecourses did not permit women to race in regular races against men until 1979.

Women involved in horse racing have ...