This weekend, the Channel 7 Rockingham Beach Cup is set to make history with an unprecedented all-female jockey lineup competing in the revitalised 2025 event.
A New Era for WA Racing
For the first time in the event's history, every single rider in the saddle this Sunday will be a woman. According to professional jockey Jessica Gray, this landmark moment reflects a broader shift in Western Australian racing.
"A while ago, it would have been a massive thing, but now, it's quite woman-dominated in the jockeys' rooms," Gray observed. "In the country, especially, some race meetings have been all women."
This significant change highlights the growing number of women taking up the reins in the sport, transforming what was once a rarity into a celebrated norm.
Jockeys and Their Horses Ready for the Sand
Thousands of spectators are expected to flock to the Rockingham foreshore for the two-day event, which culminates in a full day of thrilling beach racing on Sunday.
Jockey Jessica Gray will be riding her own ex-racehorses, Kennedy and Dark City. She shared her enthusiasm for the unique beach race format, noting the incredible atmosphere and the horses' own enjoyment.
"It's so much fun, the crowd, the atmosphere, it's a great day out," Gray said. "And the horses love it too, the first time they go in the water they might be apprehensive, but then they get in there, they have a splash and have a play... horses love water."
Fellow jockey Jessica Valas will have her two children cheering from the crowd, with her daughter already aspiring to follow in her mother's footsteps.
"My daughter wants to be a jockey when she's older, so she's very excited," Valas mentioned. "She's into racing. But my son, not so much."
More Than Just Racing: A Community Festival
The event extends far beyond the track, offering a vibrant Rotary Community Festival running on both Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can enjoy live music, markets, food trucks, and free family entertainment.
A major perk for the jockeys, as both Valas and Gray agreed, is a welcome break from the strict weight management typically required in their profession.
"We can have breakfast, we can have lunch, and we can have dinner," Valas laughed.
For adults, the Palm Beach Oasis will operate as a licensed beachfront precinct on Sunday, featuring live entertainment, DJ sets, pop-up bars, gourmet food, fashions on the foreshore, and charity auctions. Tickets are available online or at the gate.
