Monday, 1st June 2026
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What started as a landmark moment on the track for South Australia’s female jockeys has now become a celebrated chapter in sporting history, recognised with the Sports Moment of the Year award at the South Australian Sports Awards. The six riders made headlines in May 2024 by becoming the first all-female cohort to clean-sweep a nine-race metropolitan card at Morphettville – a feat unmatched in racing’s annals. Their extraordinary achievement edged out the Adelaide Thunderbirds' back-to-back championships and the Ripper GC team’s LIV Golf Playoff triumph in Adelaide. The night held extra significance with Olympic icon Cathy Freeman and veteran broadcaster Bruce McAvaney in attendance, helping elevate the celebration for the four riders present. Caitlin Jones, speaking on behalf of the group, described the award as one of the top three moments of her career. “It was a hell of an achievement really. It was just exciting to be a finalist... sure enough we pulled it off,” she said. “To have Cathy Freeman there speaking... was a privilege to listen to her speak.” Jones acknowledged the team effort and the contributions of past female riders. “We’ve been given a platform by the riders before us... They’re the ones who created a platform for us to accomplish this in what was a male dominated sport.” Sharing the spotlight with competitors-turned-comrades added further meaning. Jones and fellow riders Kayla Crowther, Alana Livesey, Rochelle Milnes, Maggie Collett and Felicity Atkinson etched their names into history that day. “We compete as the greatest rivals out there... success is best shared because I think things are more enjoyable when you share it with other people,” said Jones. “As much as I’ve had some big setbacks... I love the group of girls I ride with – I think they’re some of the greatest people.” Clare Lindop, now with Racing SA, was there when the history was made. Reflecting on a 2015 Mount Gambier meeting where an all-female card – featuring Jones – defied expectations, she recalled how unlikely a metro repeat had once seemed. “It was widely said then that females will never win one at metropolitan level and to be there on the day when it happened it was a fist-pump moment,” she said. For Lindop, the Morphettville sweep and the SA Sports Award signal how far the industry has come. “I do hope that the riders can reflect in hindsight... to be honoured with SA Sports Moment of the Year... helps young jockeys realise... racing as a sport can be celebrated.”
