Today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and we are celebrating by asking women who work for The Jockey Club and its affiliated companies about their biggest female influence and what their advice would be to girls who want to get in the game. Read below for their answers!

Alexa Ravit

Communications Coordinator, The Jockey Club

My top female influence:

Dr. Mary Scollay, the equine medical director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, has been a mentor to me since I was 16. I have always admired her unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of the horse. The Equine Injury Database, which she was instrumental in developing, is, in my opinion, one of the most significant achievements of the Thoroughbred racing industry over the last 10 years.

Advice for a woman looking to get into racing:

Be persistent. The worst thing that can happen is that someone says no. People in the industry are more likely to take a chance on you if you convey your passion for the sport and are open to a variety of opportunities. In a similar vein, I would recommend that a young woman interested in getting involved in racing tries to get a taste of as many parts of the Thoroughbred industry as possible. There are so many segments of the Thoroughbred industry (the front side and back side of a racetrack, breeding, sales, and regulation, to name a few), and knowledge gained from one area will help you in others.

Alicia Wincze Hughes

Racing Editor, BloodHorse

My top female influence:

For the last 13 years, I’ve been privileged to call multiple Eclipse Award-winner Jennie Rees a friend, mentor, and – most of all - an inspiration of what a strong woman truly is. When I started with the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper in 2005, Jennie, in her position as the longtime turf writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal, could have treated me as a professional rival – and shown distain accordingly. Instead, she graced me with nothing but kindness and respect, allowing me invaluable access to her warmth, wit, and knowledge. As competitive as we were seeking stories, we were also allies in the quest to endure in an industry where the existence of turf writers continues to shrink. Jennie’s standing in this industry is beyond reproach. So too is her ability to lift up those fortunate enough to be in her presence.

Advice for a woman looking to get into racing:

Have an unshakable love and passion for the industry. Plain and simple. Because if you are getting involved for any other reason, having a sustainable career will be a significant challenge.

Christina Moore

Digital Media Coordinator, America’s Best Racing

My top female influence:

When I think of successful women in racing, and specifically those who have influenced me, two names come to the top of my mind: Amy Gregory and Amy Owens. I had the privilege of working with both of them when I interned at Keeneland, and they are each hardworking, enthusiastic professionals who are dedicated to their jobs and the sport. Not only did they teach me a lot about the communications and sales aspects of racing, it was (and is, every April and October) motivating to work alongside two women with a devotion to the sport and an inspiring work ethic.

Advice for a woman looking to get into racing:

My advice to girls and women who want a career in racing is not so different from what it might take to succeed in any industry: work hard, network, and don’t give up. Determine the first step you need to take to get involved in horse racing, and then do it with gusto. Show up and work hard every day. Introduce yourself to everyone in the sport that you can (and stay in contact with them). Most importantly, don’t get discouraged. It might seem like all your hard work is for naught, but eventually it will pay off. You wouldn’t plant a seed and then abandon it halfway through the growing season because it hasn’t produced a prize-winning pumpkin yet. Don’t abandon your dreams either. With hard work and dedication, they will come to fruition.

Patricia Bowman

Registry & Industry Initiatives, The Jockey Club

My top female influence:

A woman in racing who has influenced my career would be Kate Demasi.  I worked for Kate at Parx Racing for three years and she was the first person to really give me a chance to succeed. I began my career with absolutely no connections, so starting out at a racetrack was quite difficult at first.  When I began working for Kate, I started out hotwalking, and through the years progressed to grooming and I was able to drastically improve my horsemanship skills.  Kate was also extremely supportive of my college education and helped open doors for me at Parx in regard to combining my degree in media communications with horse racing.  She also played an instrumental part in my acceptance into Godolphin Flying Start.

Advice for a woman looking to get into racing:

My advice for girls who want to get into racing would be to do your research, know who you want to work for, and have an understanding on how they conduct their business.  My other advice would be to work hard, be open to learning while still remaining confident in your own capabilities, and most importantly – always have respect for yourself.

Penelope Miller

Senior Manager, Digital Media, America’s Best Racing

My top female influence:

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with amazing women throughout my career in the Thoroughbred industry, but if I had to pick one who’s influenced me the most, it would be Margo Flynn at Tampa Bay Downs. I began working for Margo in Tampa’s Publicity and Marketing Department in 2006, and from my first day at the track until I left the job in 2011 to start at ABR, Margo was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration. She taught me everything from selling ads to new fan development; she emphasized innovation and jumping on digital trends. Margo taught me that we should always work hard but that work should also be fun, and I still apply the lessons I learned from her when I’m working with my team here at ABR.

Advice for a woman looking to get into racing:

Find a way in, and then be persistent. If you want to work in the racing office, find any job at a track and just keep asking and learning and applying. Want to be a racing writer? Start a blog, make connections on Twitter, ask someone you respect if you can shadow them. Are you an aspiring jockey or trainer? Get a job hotwalking horses at the track and work your way up. Want to be a racing photographer? Go on Instagram, find artists you like, make a connection and go from there. Remember: not everyone will say yes, but someone eventually will. It may take time, but it’s worth it; and you’ll build on your base of knowledge and experience with every yes, but even more so with every no.

Samantha Smith

Registration and Industry Initiatives Specialist, The Jockey Club

My top female influence:

There are many women who come to mind that have influenced my career. If I had to credit one person, I would have to step outside of racing and look at the equine industry as a whole. Growing up, I had a great riding instructor and mentor, Linda Connors. She passed away before I went to college, but she instilled the importance of good work ethic and horsemanship. These two fundamentals have reinforced everything I have worked on and continue to do. I love the sport of racing because of what it comes back to – the horse. In working within initiatives to contribute to the sport and those involved, I ultimately hope to positively contribute to the industry and the horse. This includes not only racing but also aftercare. I am fortunate enough to work and participate in both of these areas, and I get to work with a variety of amazing and influential women, whether they be current mentors or co-workers, my current riding instructor, veterinarians I have worked with as a technician, or those that I have volunteered for or with at annual racing events and conferences. There are so many great women in the equine industry to learn from that it is hard to name just one.

Advice for a woman looking to get into racing:

My piece of advice would be to find something you are passionate about. Find work in something you enjoy and a cause you believe in that you can positively contribute to. Be versatile and open minded - you can learn something from everybody and every type of job. Lastly, be resilient, work hard, and always continue to ask questions and learn new things.