Tuesdee Testa

Tuesdee Testa (born 1942) became the first female jockey to race at Santa Anita Park, and the third woman in history to have won a race at a major Thoroughbred race track in the United States. Tuesdee won her first Thoroughbred race in March 1969 riding the second mount of her career. Most notable about her chosen profession at the time were the obstacles female jockeys had to overcome to be able to ride, none of which involved their ability to stay astride a powerful racehorse in a field dominated by competitive male jockeys.

Male bias was one of the biggest obstacles for female jockeys. Males dominated positions of authority in the sport of racing, and many saw women as being weak and incapable of riding a powerful race horse; many expressed concern over the safety of other jockeys during a race. Male jockeys rejected their female counterparts and expressed their opposition by boycotting races. There were also occasions when spectators voiced their disapproval of female jockeys during the post parade. The women did not relent, and chose instead to work with people who believed in them and helped them find ways to achieve their goals.

Born Helen Shipton from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Tuesdee was the name given to her by her grandmother. Tuesdee married Al Testa, the stable manager for race horse trainer Everett W. King, described by journalist Jim Murray (1969) as a "crusty old party". Tuesdee worked as an exercise rider for King but had her sights set on becoming a jockey.

The late 1960s was a time in US history when the doors were closed to female jockeys. The Jockeys’ Guild issued a statement expressing their concerns and reasons for their opposition to females competing against male jockeys. Nick Jemas, the Guild's national managing director at the time and a former jockey himself, said in reference to the "cool judgment and skill of a fellow jockey" during a race, “A woman’s emotional makeup might betray her at a time like that. It could also imperil the lives of the other jockeys, not to mention her own.” If a female jockey entered a race, the male jockeys would stage a boycott. Spectators also expressed their disapproval for female jockeys by booing and yelling insults as they rode onto the track during the rose parade.

Women found various ways to overcome the obstacles that prevented them from receiving a jockey's license. They worked hard, and sought support by networking with people who could help them on their difficult journey to acceptance. Some even sued or threatened to sue for discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Attitudes changed as more females received their jockey's license and rode to the winner’s circle, proving their ability to be formidable competitors.

On March 2, 1969 "The crowd gave Mrs. Testa a tremendous ovation when she came back to the winner's circle" after winning the third race at Santa Anita Park riding "Buz On", paying $9.20 to win, $6.00 to place and $3.80 to show. The year 2019 marks 50 years since the doors first opened to allow female jockeys to compete against male jockeys on major racetracks in the US. Female jockeys comprise only eight percent of the Jockeys' Guild membership.

Dark Mirage

At age 25, Tuesdee was the regular exercise rider for Dark Mirage (1965), a small, dark brown Thoroughbred filly referred to as "pint-sized" and affectionately known as an "equine prankster" which earned her the nickname "Tiny Tigress". Tuesdee also fed, walked and groomed the filly, and became quite attached to her. As a 3-year-old, Dark Mirage began the season with a defeat at Aqueduct, finishing fourth behind the winning horse ridden by Ron Turcotte; however, that defeat led to a remarkable turn-around and nine consecutive wins, including eight stakes races.

Dark Mirage was the 1968 Champion Three-year-old Filly. She set track records, winning the Acorn Stakes by 6 lengths, Mother Goose by 10 lengths and Coaching Club American Oaks by 12 lengths, which comprised the 3 legs of the American Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing, formerly known as the Filly Triple Crown or New York Filly Triple Tiara that was originally hosted at Belmont Park (1957-2002 and 2007-2009). Her clocked time in the Acorn matched that of the Belmont track record at the time. Her finish in the CC American Oaks was the fastest ever clocked for that track. Steve Cady with the New York Times stated, “…When she reached the finish, ears cocked and neck bowed, she was galloping along with no more apparent effort than a saddle horse out for leisurely bridle-path canter.”

As a four-year-old, Dark Mirage ran the Santa Maria Handicap marking her 10th win. Her next race was the 1969 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap. Bion Abbott of the Los Angeles Times described trainer Everett King's position going into that race as leading with "a couple of queens in his hand", referring to Dark Mirage, and Tuesdee Testa, who he described as "5 foot 2, eyes of blue, 35-23-36, a trim 112 pounds and the first feminine jockey in Santa Anita history.”He wrote that Tuesdee's jockey career at that moment was less important than what she had accomplished preparing Dark Mirage for that day's mile and one-eighth race. Unfortunately, it was the last race for Dark Mirage. She dislocated the sesamoid bone in her right front ankle and was retired with career earnings of $362,788. The surgeries to repair her injury were unsuccessful and in 1969, when she was no longer able to stand, she was euthanized. Dark Mirage was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974.