Linda Meech (born 1980) is an Australian jockey. Born in New Zealand, she went to Australia on a working holiday in 1998 and stayed.[1]

Life and career

Meech grew up on the family farm in Pongaroa, in the Manawatū-Whanganui region of New Zealand's North Island.[2] She began her jockey's apprenticeship in Queensland, then moved to New South Wales before settling in Victoria.[3] She rode in her first race in 1999. In November 2013 she became the second Australian woman, after Clare Lindop in 2008, to win 1000 races.[1][4][5] She won her first Group One race on Plucky Belle in the Coolmore Classic in March 2015.[2]

In 2019, Meech was the first woman to win the Victorian Jockeys' Premiership, when she rode 145 winners from 755 rides.[2][6] As of late September 2023, she has ridden 1,842 winners, including two in Group One races.[7]

Meech also has a trainer's licence. She and her partner Mark Pegus, who is also a trainer and jockey, had a son in January 2021. She resumed racing in May 2021.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Banks, Laura (9 July 2014). "Linda Meech to celebrate 100 winners with her Kiwi mum". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "The quiet achiever". Victoria Racing Club. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Linda Meech makes rare Brisbane appearance". Punters. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Gardiner, Gilbert (12 May 2021). "Jamie Kah records 1000th career win". Punters. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "About". Clare Lindop. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  6. 1 2 Reynolds, Ryan (13 May 2021). "Meech to return to race riding". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "Linda Meech". Racing.com. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
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