Dawn Lupul with top outrider Rob Love and his gentle giant Duke. @woodbineracing
Canadian caller Dawn Lupul to become first woman to commentate at Ascot Racecourse
The world's premier female race caller will become the first lady to commentate at Ascot Racecourse when she calls the International Women's Day Maiden on Saturday 7 March.
Canadian broadcaster Dawn Lupul, who regularly calls races in Toronto, has accepted Perth Racing's invitation to not only announce the race exclusively featuring horses ridden by female jockeys but also host the on- and off-course coverage of the rest of the club's International Women's Day-themed meeting alongside local lady Brittany Taylor.
Free entry for women, free activities between races for females and a free showing of 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne biopic Ride Like A Girl on the 300m2 Ascot SuperScreen are just some of Perth Racing’s other initiatives as the club celebrates the increasingly significant role that ladies play in one of Australia’s most popular sports.
“Girl power is fuelling racing in 2020, so much so the Sport of Kings is becoming the Sports of Queens,” said Professor John Yovich AM, Managing Director of Perth Racing. “Most of Western Australia’s apprentice jockeys are young women, including Jade McNaught, whom punters have nicknamed Juggernaut Jade because she has booted home at least double the number of city winners this season than every man except Australia’s most successful rider, William Pike. And former star jockey Alana Williams is one half of WA’s top training team.
“Racing is the world’s highest profile sport in which females compete against males on a level playing field but, for one race only on the eve of International Women’s Day, the ladies will have Ascot Racecourse all to themselves, both in the saddle and the caller’s box.”
The International Women’s Day Maiden will be one of nine races at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 7 March. The meeting is set to run from 12:52 to 5:55 before Ride Like A Girl is broadcast on the $2.4 million TABtouch-funded Ascot SuperScreen from 6:15 to 8:15.
About Perth Racing
The Western Australian Turf Club (Perth Racing) was formed in 1852. Perth Racing operates two venues – Ascot Racecourse and Belmont Park – hosting approximately 90 meetings per season, providing year-round thoroughbred racing action within minutes of the city centre.