Award-winning female jockey 'raped by 19 men'
A former Australian jockey says she was driven out of racing after being raped by at least 19 men.
Valerie Kost says she was raped and harassed by men and youths from the time she entered the racing industry aged 11 until her retirement at 22.
Ms Kost, now 45, said abuse of women still appears to be acceptable behaviour in the Australian racing industry after receiving an accolade.
She cited the case of a teenage girl who took six apprentice jockeys to court last year for serious sex offences.
Ms Kost has revealed a horrific side to the sport after receiving an Australian Sport Medal for her short, but successful career.
She was a pioneer among female jockeys in the early 1970s and won four races before walking out on the sport.
But after accepting the award, Ms Kost says she feels "an overwhelming sense of failure" because her career ended prematurely.
She said: "I fearfully left because I could not take any more abuse, sexual or otherwise."
Ms Kost said she hoped her revelations would help other women to speak up about abusive behaviour in the racing industry.
