Footy legend Dani Laidley will make historical past, turning into an envoy for Australia’s first-ever LGBTQI+ horse racing syndicate, with a rainbow silked jockey flying the flag for the queer neighborhood.
The 55-year-old former AFL coach and outstanding transgender advocate is likely one of the sporting world’s most high-profile voices on LGBTQi+ rights.
The 1996 Kangaroos premiership participant will now be lending that voice to the racing world, one thing she has lengthy had a eager curiosity in, alongside glamourous associate Donna Leckie.
The pair are ambassadors for Australia’s first-ever LGBTQi+ horse racing syndicate, in what’s a game-changing thought for the various queer folks both taking part in or within the business.
It’s the brainchild of Ballarat-based coach Archie Alexander and his spouse Annie, who need their new younger filly to actually fly the rainbow flag for the queer neighborhood in what Laidley described as a superb thought.
Dani Laidley (2R) is an envoy alongside associate Donna Leckie (L) for Australia’s first LGBTQI+ horse possession syndicate, which is owned by Archie Alexander (3L) and spouse Annie (2L). Pictured is jockey Paige Hopper (R) modelling the rainbow silks the horse will run beneath
Footy legend Laidley has all the time had a eager curiosity in horse racing and is pictured attending one of many VIP tents ultimately yr’s Caulfield Guineas day
The horse owned by the LGBTQI+ syndicate will racing solely in rainbow silks (pictured is Laidley and associate Donna with jockey Paige Hopper within the jumper) – actually flying the flag for the queer neighborhood
‘This has been an incredible thought by Alexander Racing to have a horse syndicate for the LGBTQIA+ rainbow neighborhood and allies, and to assist folks perceive slightly bit extra concerning the rainbow neighborhood,’ she informed the Herald Sun.
‘For individuals who need to come and meet new mates in a secure, inclusive area, we predict it’s a tremendous thought, and if it helps anyone, any allies or mates or household from the rainbow neighborhood, that’s a fully good thing.
‘From an thought that is now a actuality and it’s seen and Donna and I are simply so grateful to be part of this Mission Pleasure syndicate.’
Alexander, a Group 2-winning coach, stated he had a ‘very good filly’ he believes shall be a gifted sprinter, and believes he’ll give the brand new LGBTQ+ house owners ‘some enjoyable early on’.
Eager horse racing fans Dani Laidley and Donna Leckie are pictured arriving at Caulfield Guineas day final yr
The so-called ‘Mission Pleasure’ proprietor expertise was impressed by a good friend of the Alexander household, Will Grange, and spouse Annie stated they have been decided to fly the rainbow flag to create a ‘secure area’ in racing for the queer neighborhood.
And he or she means it actually, as a result of the jockey on the filly each race will don a pair of rainbow silks that includes the color of the progress flag.
‘We have been speaking and he [Grange] talked about that whereas there are many folks from the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood in our business there may be simply little or no illustration for them,’ Annie stated.
‘From our place as trainers we felt that is what we will do to bridge that hole and welcome new folks into our business and create a secure area for them to be concerned.
‘This filly when she goes to the races she is going to actually be flying the flag for the rainbow neighborhood.’
Laidley has lengthy had a eager curiosity in horse racing, and attended a lot of massive race days all glammed up alongside associate Donna final yr.
The 2-year-old Headwater x Southern Lady filly the syndicate will personal is a ‘sassy lady’, in accordance with coach Archie Alexander
Laidley enjoys a young second with the two-year-old filly on the Alexander Racing stables
Sadly for Laidley, racing shouldn’t be all the time a secure area for her.
She sued Victoria Police after she was photographed by a police officer at Geelong Racecourse final yr whereas along with her mates and associate.
The images taken on November 6, 2021 have been extensively circulated on social media by members of Victoria Police and have been allegedly accompanied by transphobic feedback in accordance with Leckie.
For now, although, the Kangaroos Corridor of Famer will entrance the LGBTQ+ syndicate, which incorporates naming the horse by vote, inclusive race days and occasions, personalised secure visits and common updates on the two-year-old Headwater x Southern Lady filly.
