SPORT For Business is currently halfway through a list of the 50 most influential women in Irish sport. While nobody from the world of racing has yet been listed, I am certain that this will change when the remaining 25 names are revealed.

I was reminded of this list when I heard about Clare Balding’s visit to Dublin on Thursday. She was addressing an audience of opinion-formers in sport and, though racing was mentioned, the focus of the day was launching a campaign to help promote women’s sport and get girls to go and watch women’s team sport.

It was in this context too that Balding explained why she chose to abandon presenting the Aintree Grand National this year in favour of the first ever women’s boat race. This was a very difficult choice for the presenter but her motivation was putting women’s sport centre-stage.

When it comes to role models, racing may be short on numbers of women, but it most certainly does not lack in quality. In the saddle currently we have top-class exponents such as Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh, and it is interesting that they compete in the hugely risky National Hunt sphere. In the training ranks we have Jessica Harrington as an outstanding example of a top-class equestrienne and a lady adept at producing quality performers under both codes. There are many more who could be named also.

In administration the next Senior Steward of the Turf Club will make history when Meta Osborne becomes the first lady to hold this position since 1790. She is also a successful breeder and it is in this arena that women are very much to the forefront, led by notables such as Pat O’Kelly, and Sonia Rogers.

In the sport horse sector women have risen to the top more regularly in some disciplines, notably in the tough world of eventing. All of which demonstrates what can be done.

A key ingredient in promoting the cause of women in sport is the influence of parents. Their encouragement at a young age is vital and, ironically, the campaign launched by Balding will officially go live on Father’s Day. I will leave the last word to Clare Balding, speaking about role models in sport. “You need to celebrate their achievements, to inspire your daughters and nieces, sisters and mothers to not only watch but also seek to emulate them. Everything is possible once the will is there. You have it within yourselves to make the difference, starting today.”