Changing the game : five great achievements by female jockeys in 2015
Lizzie Kelly dashes back to weigh-in On Boxing Day 22-year-old Lizzie Kelly, who lives and works near Marlborough, made history, becoming the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race over jumps in the UK. Kelly was riding Tea For Two at Kempton Park Racecourse in the Kauto Star Novice Chase for trainer and Nick Williams - who is her step-father. Tea for Two is owned by her mother, Jane Williams.
Lizzie Kelly has brought the curtain down in a fitting fashion on a decisive year for female jockeys. In 2015 we celebrated some major milestones of women’s achievements on the racecourse around the globe. Here are some highlights:
Silver Saddle for Sammy Jo
Sammy Jo Bell (photo Louise Pollard)Apprentice Jockey Sammy Jo Bell was the heroine at this year’s Shergar Cup held at Ascot Racecourse in August. Following a late call up for the ‘Girls’ Team', Bell won two of the six races – in the process arguably outriding four times winner of the L’Arc De Triomphe Olivier Peslier, as well as Damien Oliver - a three times winner of the Melbourne Cup.
Along with team mates Hayley Turner, the first female jockey to win a Group 1 race outright in the UK and Canadian Emma Jayne-Wilson, the girls were crowned the Queens of the Shergar Cup beating Great Britain and Ireland; Europe and the Rest of the World consisting of leading male jockeys from around the globe. Bell was also awarded the coveted silver saddle trophy as the fixture’s top jockey.
Hayley Turner on Iftikaar (photo: John Grossick)In October, Sammy Jo’s contemporary and confessed role model Hayley Turner announced her retirement from race riding. The 32-year-old is Britain’s most successful female flat jockey. She became the first women to ride 100 winners in a year and accumulated 750 wins during her career including two Group One races: the July Cup at Newmarket and York’s Nunthorpe Stakes. She also became joint champion apprentice jockey in 2005.
Michelle Payne says ‘get stuffed’
Michelle Payne became another history maker on the 3 November, when victorious in the race that stops a nation – the Melbourne Cup in Australia. Payne became the first woman to win the race in its 155-year history.
Riding Prince of Penzance, the pair were sent off as outsiders with odds of 100-1. However following a strong move down the home straight they held off the fast-finishing Max Dynamite, ridden by Frankie Dettori, by three-quarters of a length to secure victory.
Moments after making history, Payne made some controversial remarks much quoted in the press, criticising the racing world as chauvinistic.
Sopohie Doyle on Fioretti Doyle flies the flag State-side
Brit Sophie Doyle has been making a name for herself riding in America over the past two years. After becoming disillusioned due to lack of riding opportunities in the UK, Doyle made the decision to move to first California then Kentucky. In her second year riding in the US she’s won over $1.6 million in prize money.
In 2015 she rode in 747 races and won 72, however Sophie’s highlight was making her Breeders’ Cup début in the $1m Filly and Mare Sprint race, riding Fioretti the mare that brought her first graded stakes victory.
Katie Walsh (Photo: Aintree Racecourse) Katie Walsh - Thunder and Roses at the Irish Grand National
Katie Walsh, arguably the most successful woman jump jockey in Britain and Ireland, in April became the third female in history to claim the Irish Grand National as she guided Thunder And Roses to victory at Fairyhouse, Ireland.
It is 31 years since jockey Ann Ferris struck gold aboard Bentom Boy, while Nina Carberry, also a highly respected Irish jump jockey, enjoyed National glory also aboard Organisedconfusion in 2011.
So what does 2016 hold?
Walsh is the most the successful female jockey in the world’s most famous jump race the Grand National held at Aintree. In 2011 she finished in third place riding Sea Bass. She is tipped to become the first woman to win the ultimate test of horse and jockey.
Women jockeys have proven in 2015 that when given the opportunity they can deliver on a world stage. So come on trainers and owner’s keep up the support and let’s cheer home the first Grand National female ridden winner in 2016!
Harriet works in Marlborough running Rochester Women, specialising in PR and marketing for sportswomen and female teams. All the details here. Read her blog SportWoman