She’s been making waves every time she jumps in the saddle and Rachael Murray’s reward came on Tuesday when she became the first female jockey to record 100 wins in a NSW racing season.
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Murray, well known in country racing circles, savoured the milestone win, especially because it came on a horse she has a strong connection with.
It took a photo to declare Petrossian, trained by Newcastle’s Paul Perry, the winner of the Winter Dash (1000m) at Tamworth, leaving 27-year-old Murray almost lost for words.
“It’s just been wonderful, with everything, with the highs and lows of it all,” she said. “And to do it so early, with a month and a half left in the season – hopefully I can continue to be successful and it’s not just a one off.
“He has been so good to me that horse. I just got on him one day at Muswellbrook and he was just outstanding and he won so dominantly. From that day, I haven't been off his back for the next heap of runs.
“Paul Perry has been so good to me throughout my whole entire career.
“With that horse, he’s kept me on in town. He’s just a magic horse that runs well for me and tries so hard.”
It was a nervous wait for the milestone win after Murray reached 98 on May 21 with a double at Parkes before reaching 99 a week later when scoring a win at Armidale.
The previous record for the most number of wins by a female jockey in a season was held by Linda Meech who notched 87 victories in the 2006/07 season. Next was Winona Costin with 86 in 2014/15 and one-time Dubbo apprenitce Kathy O’Hara with 83 in 2004/05.
Murray is now equal fourth with Tim Clark in the NSW Jockey Premiership behind Jeff Penza on 114 wins, Brenton Avdulla on 109.5 and Greg Ryan on 101.
She had the chance to add to her record at Muswellbrook on Friday.
