Episode 581: Coriah Keatings - one of the new wave of gifted Australian female jockeys

Darby RacingHorse RacingHorse Racing PodcastJohn TappPanthers PenrithRacing NSWSky Racing

May 26

Mud bespattered but very happy after a Warwick Farm win on Good Prize for Gratz Vella 21/05/2025 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.

The girls have had an extraordinary impact on Australian racing in recent years. A current emerging talent is twenty five year old Coriah Keatings who just recently won her first race at black type level. Coriah, apprenticed to Nick Olive at Canberra has a very impressive 135 wins on the board after just four years of race riding.

Born and reared on her family’s farm just outside Albury, Coriah was in the saddle at a very early age and went on to become highly successful in many equestrian pursuits. Her entry into the racing industry happened almost by accident. This is an absorbing chat with a country girl who would have excelled in any one of several sports, but her innate love of horses influenced her decision to become a jockey. Coriah says she’s still on cloud nine after winning her first stakes race on Spicy Lu at Eagle Farm.

The young jockey explains the origins of her intriguing given name.

Coriah says her early passion for horses was encouraged by mother Kerryn, herself an avid horse lover.

She says her father Craig had little interest in racing, but has become one of her staunchest fans.

Coriah joined pony club at four years of age and was still heavily involved into her late teens.

The 25 year old says she had little difficulty with academic studies but much preferred school sporting activities.

The young jockey was all set to enrol for a university course when Covid got in the way. She earned some pocket money at a Zambrero Restaurant in Albury.

At the suggestion of a friend Coriah made enquiries about a job with former successful jockey Jodi Bohr who was training horses in Albury at the time.

She openly admits to being all at sea when she began riding trackwork.

Coriah looks back on two other jobs she undertook, one in hospitality the other in retail. At one stage she was working both jobs at the same time.

She recalls an invitation from leading Albury trainer Ron Stubbs to join his team.

Coriah says Ron wasn’t in the position to offer her an apprenticeship, but knew of another trainer who was.

She looks back on a very happy stint with Donna Scott who became a valued tutor and friend.

Coriah looks back on her first race ride. She finished second but believes she should have won. She got the shock of her life after passing the post.

She was delighted to win her first race on a horse trained by Donna Scott.

Coriah looks back on a relocation to Canberra and the transfer of her indentures to her current boss Nick Olive.

The jockey talks of her partner Matthew Kelly, a young Canberra trainer who’s beginning to make his mark.

Coriah pays tribute to some of the horses who’ve kick started her riding career with special mention of the Nick Olive trained mare she regards as her favourite to this point in time.

She says there’s one member of the Olive team she’s “busting” to win a race on.

Coriah speaks fondly of talented mare All Adore and makes mention of two other metropolitan winners she’s ridden for Canberra trainers.

She talks of her versatility in being able to use the whip in either hand.

Coriah agrees she’s on the tall side as jockeys go, but appreciates the luxury of being able to ride on the limit weight.

She clearly remembers two occasions when she came away from the races with winning trebles, one at Cowra and the other at Canberra.

It’s a nice chat with one of the rising stars of the female riding ranks.