Lindop makes history at Morphettville
Clare Lindop has etched her name into racing history as the first Australian woman to ride 1000 winners.
The star South Australian jockey accomplished the feat at Morphettville yesterday (Saturday 8 October 2011) taking out two of the first four races. The countdown has been on for the last couple of weeks and Lindop was thrilled to do it on the big stage.
"It's a big relief," Lindop said as she dismounted.
Appropriately, both winners were trained by Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas, while the one that brought up the milestone - Perfect Punch - is part-owned by long-time supporter and leading owner Harry Perks.
"I was pretty confident today," Lindop said. "Last week the pressure was on and it was a
little bit awkward, but I've had a bit of a laugh this week - I've got the gorilla off my back.
"It was very fitting to do it for Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and the support I've received has been fantastic. I'm already looking forward to the next race."
Lindop has already achieved a lot of firsts in her highly successful career, being the first Australian female to win a Group 1 race and ride in the Melbourne Cup, but the 32-year old doesn't consider herself a pioneer.
"I've never tried to wave the flag, but being a female in the industry has helped my profile," she said. "In some ways it's been a blessing, but sometimes it's been a little bit frustrating.
"Horsemanship is a skill, if you're male or female it shouldn't matter, but on the other side of it, if I can pave the way for some young girls starting out, that would be fantastic too."
Lindop has been Macdonald's stable rider for almost 10 years and the trainer was full of praise for her. "It's sensational, we've been a team for a long time now, she's here every day and works her butt off and she deserves it,"Macdonald said.
"It's incredible to be a part of it and we'll keep supporting her."
The team is already moving on to the next goal, trying to replicate the feats of Rebel Raider, who took out the Victoria Derby in 2008. "It's spring and we've got Adelaide horses competing in Melbourne and that's always a challenge," Lindop said.
"We're hoping Perfect Punch, my 1000th winner, can win the Derby."
Story: Tom Biddington, Sunday Mail
