During the 1950s and 1960s, racing was a man’s world and if you weren’t the owner of a horse or the licensed trainer, you weren’t allowed in the dress circles and trainer and jockey enclosures. Shepherd was determined to break down those barriers.
“One day in the early 1960s Mum was at a race meet in Tamworth and one of the stewards suggested she get her stable hand licence. Mum looked at him and said, ‘why would I do that when I am training horses – why can’t I get a trainer’s licence?’” says Lim.
Soon after that, Shepherd applied for her licence and became Australia’s first lady trainer. Her natural ability, her hard work and her extensive racing knowledge won her respect from her male peers.
“When she talked to men in the industry, they took notice. She knew her subject and they recognised that,” says Lim.
Shepherd enjoyed many successes but her most notable horse was Trevors. He ran 14th in the 1966 Melbourne Cup and fourth in the Caulfield Cup that year. He also came third in the then-Hotham Handicap at Flemington.
Lim remembers their property in Scone being like ‘Grand Central Station’ as people visited to congratulate Betty and to see her prize-winning, four-legged protege.
“Mum and Dad were the VIPs of the town and so many people came to speak to Mum and to see Trevors,” she recalls.
“The Melbourne Cup was the highlight of Mum’s career. I remember her travelling to Melbourne with an entourage, including a dog, because Trevors had to be guarded in the stables at all times before the race.”
Today, Shepherd is still feted by her local community and Lim says she was definitely a trailblazer.
“It was only in later years that I appreciated what Mum achieved. She really did open the door for many women in the industry today.”
Since Shepherd, an impressive parade of women has earned their trainer’s licence, as well as the respect of the racing world.