Powder Puff Derby

In 1929, American female pilots challenged gender prejudices by introducing women's competition in men's sports at the National Air Races. This groundbreaking event, known as the first official U.S. women's air race, surprised the public who did not expect women to engage in such activities. Instead of simply posing in front of the plane, these women took control and participated in the race. The race was humorously dubbed the Powder Puff Derby by comedian and journalist Will Rogers, popularising the term for competitions between women in various sports.

Powder Puff Derby, 40s

In 1940, the inaugural Powder Puff Thoroughbred race, originally known as the "Calgary Town Plate'', was held in Calgary, Ontario, Canada. The race quickly gained popularity, overshadowing its previous name. Despite sceptics and critics, the event garnered significant media coverage, with even the Calgary Harold featuring a cartoon depicting female jockeys racing.

The fall competition in 1942 took place at the Saskatoon City Fair in Edmonton on Labour Day, attracting about 5,000 spectators. Neta Robbins emerged as the Derby winner. In 1943, the Powder Puff competition returned to Calgary, with the horse Some Star, ridden by Mrs. A. Finch, claiming victory. Eva Ring, a renowned Canadian horsewoman, dominated the Powder Puff competitions in the 1940s, enhancing the prestige of horse racing and boosting its popularity in Canada.

At the same time as the Canadian race, the inaugural Powder Puff Derby took place in August 1940 at Mexico's Agua Caliente racetrack. The event featured 6 girls, predominantly rodeo participants. A series of photographs depicting the racers, staff, track, and facilities were published in a 1940 issue of Life magazine. Rodeo performer Alice Wang clinched the victory riding her horse, Drum Music. The owner of the horse, Thomas Hunt, received $500 in prize money, while the rider was awarded a wristwatch.

Powder Puff Derby Thoroughbreds

The Powder Puff Derby has been taking place at Northlands Park Race Course in Alberta, Canada since 1984, thanks to the efforts of John Heath, a Portland jockey agent. In 2012 and 2013, charity races were held without betting, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2013, the event, which involved a race and 8 days of preparation, raised $15,000, with Amanda Dixon emerging as the winner both years.

Following the 2016 season, Northlands Park, the country's oldest circuit, was unfortunately closed. Over its 116 years of existence, it has hosted many tournaments, including the well-known Canadian Derby. Nowadays, annual festivals and fairs are held on the site of the hippodrome in areas owned by the Edmonton Northlands company.

In 2019, all Northlands racing was relocated to the newly opened Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. Fast-forward to 2022, women's charity runs made a comeback, this time dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer. A decade later, Amanda Dixon triumphed once more in the Powder Puff race event.

Powder Puff Derby Standardbreds

Fraser Downs Racetrack in Surrey, British Columbia has been hosting the Powder Puff Derby for harness horses since 2010 as part of the Harness The Hope Series, which raises donations for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. These charity races do not involve any betting. Over the years, various participants have achieved success in the race, with Emily Leake, daughter of Ontario jockey Paul Megens, having a winning streak in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2015, Sandra Roberts took first place with her own pacer, while in 2019, Amber Lancaster was the first runner-up. In total, a record $17,104 was raised for the Breast Cancer Foundation that year.

Powder Puff Derby pushes the boundaries

Gender inequality in sports is a thing of the past, with female jockeys now a common sight on racetracks. Women's races are no longer a novelty, but rather a highlight of the racing calendar. While the Powder Puff Race may not have achieved national status, it has expanded globally with local races held around the world, like the Dover Fair in Ohio, USA in 2023. The term "Powder Puff Derby" has become synonymous with women's competitions in traditionally male-dominated sports like football and car racing.