Horse racing is one of the sports where men and women compete head to head at the highest level and so it was fitting that this year should be marked by the creation of a new Women’s Irish Network for Racing (WINR).
Katie Walsh rode the winner of the Boylesports irish Grand National in 2015 and Wexford trainer Jessica Harrington is one winner away next week from becoming the most successful woman trainer ever at the Cheltenham Festival.
Sport has been to the fore like never before in the celebrations this week to mark International Women’s Day.
Liberty Ambassadors Backing Women in Sport
The Network kicked off on Wednesday night with an event at Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas attended by 60 women involved in all areas of the sport from racing administration to training yards, vets, racecourses, students and stud farms.
They took part in an informal speed networking event, spending three minutes chatting to each other as individuals and using this as the first step towards building a platform that will have a positive impact on women’s roles in racing and breeding.
“We have had an amazing response to our first event and judging from the feedback, most people want the same thing – to connect with other women involved in Irish racing and breeding,” said Meta Osborne, The Turf Club’s Senior Steward and WINR co-founder.
Who should be among the 50 Most Influential Women in Irish Sport 2017?
“We hope everyone found the evening useful and increased their network in a fun, relaxed environment.”
“There is no hierarchy or committee – participants will be asked for feedback about what should happen next and the baton will be passed to the next team to organise an event – it could be a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of a feed mill, an inspirational speaker, a CV review session or a day at the races.”
Women are free to join WINR, and further information can be obtained by emailing irishwomenracing@gmail.com
