FEATURE
KEEPING UP THE PACE
The Lexus Melbourne Cup is the ultimate equine staying test, but emulating Penny Penfold’s working week would present a strong examination of stamina.
BY BRAD WATERS
P enny Penfold manages the day-to- day affairs of seven racing clubs in Victoria’s west as the manager of the Wimmera Racing Club, which covers eight racing clubs in the busy region. Penfold covers thousands of kilometres each year travelling from her home in Horsham, ironically not one of the clubs she manages, driving to venues such as Ararat and Warracknabeal. She oversees the running of more than thirty race days every season, organising attractions such as musical performers or a face painter for the kids or securing thousands of dollars in sponsorship or grants to upgrade the various venues. Penfold’s amazing efforts convinced the prestigious Wakeful Club to recognise her with its Spirit Of Racing Award at its International Women’s Day event at Sandown Racecourse in March. Penfold said she found receiving her award in front of hundreds of women a tricky task. “I was so honoured,” Penfold said. “Even getting up on stage and accepting the award, that was hard work for me. “I’m just there doing something I love and work with great people.” Penfold’s journey in racing began simply in 2008. She answered an ad in a local Horsham newspaper soon after returning to Australia
with her South African husband Alan, who she met while living in Scotland following her graduation with an Honours degree in business. “I opened the local paper and there was a racing and events co-ordinator’s job in there and I thought, ‘hey, I can do that,’ applied and got it,” Penfold said. Looking back at that time, Penfold was amazed with how the number of women in racing administration roles has grown in the ensuing 15 years. “When I first started, there was myself, Penny Reeve and Karen Van Kempen in administration but since, it’s grown hugely and we’re giving the boys a nudge in numbers,” Penfold said. Penfold immediately dived into a whirlwind of various tasks, all crucial to clubs with differing needs. Some of Penfold’s clubs such as St Arnaud, Wycheproof and Nhill only race once a year. Therefore they have contrasting priorities to venues that host more racing like Ararat and Warracknabeal. Race days, jumpout mornings, non- racing activities and financial jobs all need Penfold’s attention. “I joke with some people that I’ve got my payroll hat on but the same afternoon I’ll be putting together jumpout fields, then I’m going to committee meetings,” she said.
Most are there because they love racing and the others are there because they love the community and want to see the community thrive.
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INSIDE HEADQUARTERS ISSUE 2 2023
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