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Race club new female jockey change rooms – a sheer delight\
Page 3 - WDL July 31,2025
BRAND NEW changing rooms for female jockeys were
officially opened by the state member for Dubbo (and
Wellington), Dugald Saunders during the Wellington Race Club’s winter race meeting on Tuesday.
The modern facilities were
recently completed by local builder, Henry Redfern of
Welbuilt Construction with electrical work and air-conditioning completed by local tradesmen.
Commenting as he officially opened the new facilities, Mr Saunders said “They’re unbelievable. They are of such good quality.”
“It’s taken a lot longer than any of us thought when we
announced this back in 2022,
almost three years ago to the day, that we are officially
opening them.
“It was launched that we would fund them up to the total of $165,000 from the then
coalition state government, and of course Racing NSW was part of things as well.
“But the quality of the final finish is amazing.”
Mr Saunders said he had been chatting to the ‘girls’ (female jockeys, and they said they just love the rooms.
“They can’t quite believe how good the rooms are.”
“After talking to the male jockeys I think they are
jealous.”
Mr Saunders said Wellington Race Club worked really hard to maintain its facilities, and look to provide great quality racing.
“And that’s what it’s all about,” he said.
Sand training track completed
“It was only a couple of weeks ago that we officially launched the sand track and its new
irrigation system.
“It was another great project.
“It was $95,000 to water the sand track and make sure that it was functioning as needed.
“The sand had been replaced before that.
“So, it’s that step-by-step
progress by the club.
“I know there’s been a bit of a focus on some more stabling and training facilities as well, and again, it was probably three years ago when we were looking at how we could contribute to that.
“And you do need to do things in stages. And we have now seen three amazing projects that have made a real difference to this club.”
Of the future, Mr Saunders said he would encourage the club to keep pushing both
Racing NSW and also the state government.
“The state government is
unfortunately not investing a lot in regional areas at the moment, but I’d encourage the club to keep pushing for that, and I
certainly will.”
Photo: Wellington Race Club president Peter Barton thanks State member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders for officially opening the club’s new female Jockeys change rooms with former club secretary Dale Jones.