At just 23 years of age, Emma Johnson is the youngest and only female race starter in Australia and New Zealand.

Johnson comes from a family engrained deep within harness racing and hopes she can inspire the next generation to chase their dreams.

“My dad trains and drives in Adelaide, his name is Lane Johnson. And my brother Corey drives in Adelaide and a bit in Mildura as well,” Johnson said.

“I have grown up in a harness racing family. My grandpa also trains standardbreds and my mum was a gallops trainer. She was one of the first female apprentice jockeys when females started riding.

“I have also grown up around horses, ridden horses and done everything with them.”

Johnson found her passion to be a starter in South Australia before making the move to Victoria.

“When I finished school, Harness Racing South Australia put up an ad looking for everyday work. I put in an application not thinking much of it,” she said.

“I ended up getting a job there as a cadet steward, then they asked me if I would be interested in starting, which I did.

“In 2023, HRV called me and asked me if I would be interested in becoming a starter over here, and after a bit of back and forth, I made the decision to come over.”

The adrenaline rush of being in the mobile keeps Johnson coming back for more.

“It’s exhilarating and that’s why I love doing it,” she said. “I started (starting) in 2018 so it’s coming up to six years now.

“With starting, it’s great and everyone who comes along with me absolutely loves it. I tell them ‘this is why I do it’.”

Being the only female in the role, Johnson has felt nothing but love from the harness racing community.

“People have told me I am the only and youngest female starter in Australia and New Zealand, and I don’t make a fuss of it. I don’t see any difference from female or male, we are all the same,” she said.

Being a trailblazer in the job sits uncomfortably with Johnson.

“I don’t know (how to feel),” she said. “Anyone can do it. If you have a love for horses and a love for harness racing, you are halfway there.”

Johnson has a message for any aspiring female starters.

“Just go for it. Even in your head if you think it’s a temporary thing, you might end up liking it,” she said.

“When I finished school, I didn’t know what I wanted to be and I thought it would be a temporary thing. It ended up being a full-time thing and I have ended up moving to Victoria for it.”