Pam O’Neill
The Basics
| Categories: | Jockeys |
|---|---|
| Region: | South East Queensland |
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Women jockeys owe her a great respect because Pam O'Neill fought long and hard for their right to ride against men. She finally got her permit to ride against men in 1979 but was not allowed to complete an apprenticeship. It meant she rode more than 400 winners without ever having the benefit of a claim. O'Neill rode a treble on her first day riding against men at the Gold Coast and a month later won her first feature race in the Booroolong Handicap on Samei Boy. Her favourite horse was Supersnack on whom she won 18 races including the 1990 Rockhampton Cup. O'Neill won an international 'ladies' jockey race on Ropely Lad and also outrode the great Roy Higgins to win a unisex race at Moonee Valley in Melbourne.
Pam O'Neill rides Samoan Lady to victory at Southport Racecourse 1979 (Thanks to Geoff Shephard for contributing this photo).