As a female chaplain to the racing industry, I get to talk to trainers, owners, jockeys, gate people, vets, farriers (who shoe the horses), strappers and all the other people you might find at the racetrack. 

I’ve been to the hospital to visit jockeys with serious injuries. I am always introducing myself and striking up conversations. People share medical issues, spiritual issues and life issues with me. 

This chaplaincy appeals to me for three reasons. First, I love God. I want to honour him and serve him in whatever way he sees fit. Second, I love horses. I’ve owned horses. Being among horses is just wonderful. And third, I love people! I’ve only been doing chaplaincy for a few months, but I’ve been commissioned and sent to racecourses in Sydney. I know that’s where the Lord wants to use me. 

The opportunities are too many to count! I come home exhausted because I’ve talked to so many people. Yesterday, I talked to a girl who said she was spiritual, and spoke to a fellow last week about a serious medical issue. I’ve been praying for them. I was able to say to him, “I’m still praying for you, how are you going?”

If you show love to people, they’re genuinely interested. When I offered my card to one strapper, he said, “I’m not interested in God, I’m an atheist”. I replied, “I’m here to support you. The Australian Turf Club saw the need for a woman on the ground to care for people, so I’m here”.

My horse almost killed me

I’m a horse girl. I’ve owned thoroughbreds. It’s helped me connect with people. My thoroughbred nearly killed me, though – she galloped through a barbed wire fence and I couldn’t stop her. I fell off and was dragged by the stirrup. 

I wasn’t walking with the Lord at that time of my life, and I thought, “Lord, forgive me!” I know the Lord saved me – it was the only time that I wore a proper racing helmet. I should have died. 

The jockeys get on their horses and they know as they get on that this could be their last breaths of life. Every year a jockey is killed, and every year there are injuries. There are great highs and great lows in this industry. My role is to encourage in the highs and enjoy them with people, but also to be there for them in the lows. 

I can’t not share the gospel

I often think about the passage from Romans 10: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring tidings of good news”. At university, I remember I was wearing a cross and a young fellow in a science lab asked me, “Are you wearing that cross because you’re a Christian?” I was terrified of rejection, but I couldn’t lie. He said, “Tell me about it”. That moment made me realise that explaining the faith was my gift.

Ever since then, God has given me opportunity after opportunity to open my mouth. If you trust God and pray for opportunities, he will give them to you. What a joy it is to speak the Lord’s words into people's lives. 

Join us in prayer

• We would love your prayers! For me, pray there would be opportunities within the relationships I make to share the hope Christians have. Pray that the racing industry will see the glory of God. They all love horses, everyone involved, but pray that they see them as a gift from God. 
• Pray for myself and the other chaplains in the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy network as we offer support and hope. 

Deb Priestley is Sydney’s female racing industry chaplain. She attends Menai Anglican.