Sophie Swain and Jenny McAlpine: The power of education and networking

Sophie Swain, ownership manager at Racing Queensland, has been at the helm of the role for roughly one year and, within that short time, is already making a huge contribution and commitment to the racing industry with her ‘Own The Morning Series’.

Marketed as a ‘grab a coffee and meet Queensland’s leading trainers, breeders and industry leaders for a relaxed walk and talk.’

But it’s so much more than just a coffee and walk. It is a program centred on spreading the positives of racehorse ownership and giving women an in-depth understanding of racing.

It allows and accommodates access to industry professionals to educate women on the vast professions that contribute to this wonderful sport rather.

Swain, sensing a prime opportunity in her backyard, hosted the latest catch-up at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

A group of women in racing were encouraged to attend and bring a friend who isn’t (yet) involved in thoroughbred ownership to learn from bloodstock agents what buyers are looking for in a broodmare prospect.

With the quality of bloodstock on display at the Bundall complex, the women were treated to a spectacle of viewing some of the best race mares of their generation and star producers like Piping Hot (More Than Ready {USA}), who is already the dam to the outstanding filly Coolangatta (Written Tycoon).

Some of these mares on offer may go on to produce the next champion of the track. The venue was the perfect opportunity to inspire and enthral the audience.

Swain's inspiration

But what inspired Swain to choose this path?

Swain tells TDN AusNZ, “The Own The Morning program was born to uncover and give people access to other areas of racing they may not be aware of.

Access to behind-the-scenes, such as trackwork in the morning, sales and off-the-track initiatives.

“I have been in the ownership manager role at Racing Queensland for almost a year, and the program was born out of my curiosity. I had all these questions and thought if I felt this way, other people would too.

“I was interested in what Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock looks for when buying horses for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“And other questions like why are we selling broodmares like Piping Hot? What is a blue-hen mare?

“I thought it was an opportunity to host an event where women can come and bring a friend, grab a coffee, and we can find answers to those questions from professionals. I host the meets in the morning so people can come along to see the parades, and they are small groups, so it gives people the opportunity to ask questions and get access to trainers and bloodstock agents they wouldn’t necessarily have if they just walked in off the street.

“I’ve had Maddysen Sears, a young local trainer, and she has discussed who she is and what she does. How she and her dad, training partner Tony Sears look for horses and how she engages clients to race with their stable.

“And this morning, we had Sally Gordon pull out Piping Hot, dam of Coolangatta and explain to the group why people would sell a mare like this and what a rarity she is with the quality of horse she has produced.

“It was very special for everybody because I know I can’t just go up and pull out Piping Hot or Isotope myself, but I have the platform to engage industry professionals who can.”

Collaboration with McAlpine

Swain is eager to engage industry professionals from various areas in racing to share and educate her groups, including Jenny McAlpine, the Public Relations Consultant at Lindsay Park for the Hayes Family.

McAlpine has much success in engaging women, particularly into horse ownership, with her ‘Ladies In Racing’, where she teamed up with prominent racing media personality Grace Ramage to involve and educate more women into racing.

Swain is keen on further collaboration with McAlpine, and both share a common goal.

McAlpine told TDN AusNZ, “The collaboration between Sophie and I is about spreading the reach for ladies to get involved in racing.

Lady ownership is becoming significant, and we have a captive market with women who can bring in other women. We want those women involved in racing.

“But it is imperative to educate women simultaneously, and bringing the group to a horse sale is a great opportunity. And that’s what this morning was really about and our collaboration, an education process.

“Ladies need to know not every horse you buy will be a fast racehorse. However, there is still a life after racing, and if you own a filly, she may one day go through this sale. It's an education program that is really focusing on the full circle picture.

With welfare, a facet of the industry that is often questioned by those unaware or unsure where they can find factual information between the mass of misleading and inaccurate information, McAlpine and Swain were both eager to praise Vicky Leonard, founder of Kick Up and Kick Collective, and co-owner of this publication, TDN AusNZ.

“It was wonderful to have Vicky here explaining horse welfare because many of these women don’t know; they have no idea about retirement plans or the statistics and what we as an industry are doing to care for these horses.

“Vicky and her team are working very hard producing information and awareness initiatives with Kick Up, and these are vital resources we will utilise.

“We advertise our initiatives within the industry, but not so much on the outside. Programs like this and Kick Up can make a difference and are very important.”

Swain and McAlpine both agree they want to arm women verbally with facts about racing, which will play a big part in their quest to educate and involve women and men in the industry.

The power of networking

“Women are great at networking. Women can turn these meets into social and educational events themselves; they can make new friendships and bond with each other.

“This morning asking women already involved in racing to bring girlfriends who may not be involved in racing is a crucial example and events we would like to replicate,” McAlpine said.

Swain added, “We want to empower everybody who comes to our meets so they can share with their networks that they have seen the industry and experienced it in person. That will build interest in broader groups. We can’t build into the community unless we educate them.

“It’s also wonderful when women in the group who are experienced in ownership say they have an off-the-track thoroughbred that they watch compete. It’s great to hear, and now Racing Queensland has announced a $50,000 showjumping competition in August.”

Swain and McAlpine stressed they are keen to ensure women receive a complete picture and positive experience when they engage in the meets.

“Women are getting a full circle of understanding. A whole picture from racing on Saturday to sales on Sunday to speaking and learning about retirement: it gives women the confidence to come back here hopefully in January, too, once they have this understanding.

McAlpine comments, “Oh, some women are as keen to come back as soon as Tuesday, after they saw Isotope and Piping Hot, now they want to see them sell in the sale ring. Once you pass that initial stage and show them it is accessible and what they can be part of and learn, they want to invest.

“Now these women have contacts, so they can reach out to Jenny or myself or anybody they have met,” Swain responds. “It’s broken down that intimidating barrier.”

How to become involved

What does the future hold for the collaboration, and where can one get involved?

“We want to bring new people in. Extend our reach and educate. We don’t want to put these events on for ourselves, preaching to the converted, but to open up the industry to all. I encourage anybody to join us,” Swain tells TDN AusNZ.

“Jenny and I received very positive feedback Sunday morning. This week we will sit down and work on strategies to go forward from here. We would love to have more events, we definitely will be doing this again next year, and we eventually would love to have a calendar of similar events throughout the year.”

“Anyone interested would be highly encouraged to come to the Gold Coast Bundall complex on Sunday, May 28. We will be hosting an event for the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, and we have engaged Champion trainer Lee Freedman to talk about what he looks for in a young thoroughbred athlete.

“You can come and grab a coffee and meet Lee. We will also engage a Magic Millions representative to introduce the group to a Queensland vendor to look at horses.

“I have to thank Jenny. She is a Queenslander born and bred, so she has been a massive help, and together, we are looking forward to developing strategies and adding more events to the schedule. We want to show what we can do as an industry when we collaborate.”

For anybody wishing to find out more or want to be involved, please find the following information and contacts:

If you have questions, please get in touch with Sophie Swain at ownership@racingqueensland.com.au