Australian Transgender Jockey Tyler Leslight Wins Race, Makes History
starobserver.com.auTyler Leslight cemented his name into Australian racing history on Tuesday when he became the first out transgender jockey to win a top class race.It was Leslight’s first time riding at a TAB card event.
Leslight won the race riding atop Fire King in the 1,200 metre sprint at Mackay Racecourse.“I knew the horse was a good chance but I never looked at the TAB odds, I don’t do that because it just goes to your head,” Leslight told News Corp.Even better for Leslight was the fact that the race was broadcast on television meaning his grandfather could watch him win. “My pop used to train and he would have been sitting at his mate’s place watching it.
He hasn’t been able to watch my races until now because they have all been non-Tab meetings and not broadcast on TV,” he told News Corp.Leslight took his first ever win at a non-TAB race in Gladstone April 16, when he rode Fab’s Cowboy to victory.
It was only the third official race for the 22 year old jockey.Leslight, who medically transitioned to male at 16, has been open about how relationship with his family was fractured after telling them he was transgender.
