Get To Know Our Racing Participants

EMILY LANG

AGE: 24

MASTER: Tony Gollan

LOCATION: SEQ

Fresh off a provincial premiership and Apprentice of the Year title for the 2023/24 season, 24-year-old hoop Emily Lang has set her sights on an even bigger season in the saddle. She’s aiming to establish herself as one of the top riders in the Queensland metropolitan ranks.

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JACE MCMURRAY

AGE: 17

MASTER: Adam Campton

LOCATION: SEQ

Seventeen-year-old Coffs Harbour product Jace McMurray has been tipped to make a sharp move through the riding ranks after a big start to the 2024/25 season. Jace has set lofty goals for himself, aiming to break into the top three riders across the provincial ranks in the 2024/25 season. 

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COREY SUTHERLAND

AGE: 20

MASTER: Pat Duff

LOCATION: SEQ

Coming from a rodeo background, 20-year-old Corey Sutherland has always been involved in the industry. After spending time working as a farrier alongside his father, Sutherland knew he didn’t want to fit shoes for a living but instead ride horses. Standing at 180cm tall, he may be one of the tallest hoops in Queensland, but he’s certainly not letting that hold him back. Sutherland continues to ride consistently across the provincial and country circuits.

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SAMANTHA POINTON

AGE: 23

MASTER: Tom Dougall

LOCATION: Darling Downs

Hailing from the small Darling Downs town of Clifton, 23-year-old Samantha Pointon started riding horses from a young age. As her skills improved, the thought of becoming a jockey became more appealing. Now based in Toowoomba, Pointon has faced a few ups and downs with injuries but managed to gain her first race ride in late October 2024. Since then, she has taken on several rides throughout the country circuit and has even started to put some nice wins on the board.

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DAN MCGILLIVRAY

AGE: 26

MASTER: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

LOCATION: SEQ

Having always been involved in the industry, with his father a trainer and older brother Matt a Group 1 rider, Dan McGillivray was always destined to race ride. The 26-year-old apprentice has high hopes of establishing himself on the provincial circuit and progressing to the metropolitan ranks over the next 12 months. With the Neasham and Archibald team backing him, Dan believes he’s in the right stable to make it happen.

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CHELSEA FRANCIS

AGE: 18

MASTER: Steele Ryan

LOCATION: SEQ

A lifelong horse lover, Chelsea Francis always knew she’d find her way into the racing industry. The opportunity to become a jockey turned that dream into reality. Guided by her master Steele Ryan, the 18-year-old apprentice was thrilled to get her debut race ride at Kumbia in November 2024 done and dusted. Chelsea now looks forward to becoming a more prominent rider across the country circuit and working her way up through the ranks.

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JASPER FRANKLIN

AGE: 21

MASTER: Matt Hoysted

LOCATION: SEQ

Born into the racing world with his father, a former jockey, and his grandmother a trainer, this young apprentice is determined to carve out his own legacy in the saddle. Having started his career in New South Wales as a teenager, the 21-year-old made a bold move to Queensland, joining the apprentice program for a change of scenery. Under the guidance of his master Matt Hoysted, Jasper has found a renewed passion for his craft and is eager to make his mark on the metro circuit.

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SHAKIRA BAILEY

AGE: 22

MASTER: Barry Lockwood

LOCATION: SEQ

A former high-level barrel racer in her earlier days, Shakira Bailey always had her sights set on transitioning into race riding during her late teens. The Victorian native chose Queensland as the place to refine her skills through the Queensland Apprentice Jockey Program. After enjoying early success under the guidance of her master, Barry Lockwood, Bailey faced a challenging period with injuries. However, she remains determined to return to the saddle and make her mark on the provincial racing circuit.

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JULIE BUSUTTIN

AGE: 18

MASTER: Patrick Busuttin

LOCATION: SEQ

Born into racing a racing family with her father Patrick a trainer in his own right, Busuttin always knew that the sport was her calling. Currently a 3kg claimer, she has her sights set on reducing her claim to 2kg and eventually picking up more rides on the metropolitan circuit in 2025.

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TY WHEELER

AGE: 25

MASTER: Gordon Hay

LOCATION: SEQ

After stepping away from the sport in 2022, apprentice jockey Ty Wheeler is back in the saddle looking to make his mark in 2025. After overcoming a vast array of challenges and injuries in recent years, the 25-year-old is hopeful of breaking back into the provincial circuit on a regular basis under the guidance of his master, Gordon Hay.

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FIONA SANDKUHL

AGE: 25

MASTER: Matt Hoysted

LOCATION: SEQ

The 25-year-old jockey has made the move from the Murray region of New South Wales to Queensland, seeking a fresh start after an injury-interrupted journey. Now injury-free and learning under the experienced Matthew Hoysted stable, Sandkuhl is focused on making her mark on the provincial circui – with ambitions of stepping up to the metro stage in time.

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Perrie Carter

AGE: 29

MASTER: Michael Lakey

LOCATION: SEQ

Ireland-born jockey Perrie Carter has followed a unique path in racing, driven by her passion for learning every stage of a horse’s life, from birth to after-care.

After gaining experience around the world, she moved to Queensland, where she made her race day debut aboard bush legend Fab’s Cowboy. Now 29 and working with her master Mick Lakey, Carter is focused on gaining more rides on the provincial circuit in 2025.

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