Rachel Venniker makes history as the first female rider in the Hollywoodbets Durban July taking place on July 2. She is not stranger to being the only woman in an industry dominated by men.

“Every jockey’s dream is to ride in the July and to have a chance to win. But to be the first woman to ever participate – it really is an incredible opportunity, so I’m very excited. I feel so blessed that I can actually do it,” says the talented rider.

Venniker, a 20-year-old Summerveld resident, has ridden horses since the age of four.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July will be Venniker’s second Grade 1 race. However, the young rider is familiar with the turf track. She’ll be riding Red Saxon, for trainer Joe Soma, on July 2.

Venniker is a second-year apprentice at the South African Jockey Academy, which is the only institution in the country offering an academic and practical apprentice programme to aspirant professional jockeys. She is used to competing against men as she is the only female apprentice jockey at the academy.

The life of an apprentice jockey is a busy one. Venniker begins riding track work from 05:00 through to midday, working 25 to 30 horses in a morning.  Although it is physically demanding, she is also a regular road runner, which is a vital part of maintaining her fitness and getting race-ready.

The 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July will be one for the history books due to Venniker’s participation and because this is Hollywoodbets’ first sponsorship of the 126th running of the iconic Durban horse race. The race now carries a record stake of R5m.