Female jockeys will be given more opportunities, according to the head of the National Trainers Federation, after research revealed that they are statistically just as good as their male counterparts.
A study, released yesterday by the University of Liverpool, which covered data over a 14-year period, confirmed what jockeys such as Lizzie Kelly and Bryony Frost have been demonstrating on the racecourse all winter: that women jockeys are not inferior.
However, only 11.3 per cent of professional jockeys are women and during the length of the survey, they claimed only 5.2 per cent of the rides available.
“There has been a change of attitude,” Rupert Arnold, the NTF chief executive, said. “What I hear from trainers is that they’re happy to give female jockeys rides. If they’re good enough, they’ll get the rides.
“The perception among some owners and trainers has been that female jockeys are not as strong, but physical strength is not the only factor in getting a horse to perform to its best.”
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The lack of women jockeys is all the more surprising given that 51 per cent of the sport’s stable staff are female. Women have long been seen as equals in other equestrian sports but have struggled to make an impact at the highest levels in racing.
“It’s a historical situation [women jockeys were not allowed until 1972]. The vast majority of jockeys have always been male so the culture has been — until the last 10-15 years — to use male jockeys,” Arnold said.
“Josephine Gordon has made a big breakthrough by getting a job with an up-and-coming trainer [Hugo Palmer] and personalities over jumps like Lizzie Kelly, Bryony Frost and Bridget Andrews are raising the profile of female riders.”
Despite a breakthrough by Hayley Turner and Gordon on the Flat and a host of women enjoying success over jumps in Ireland and Britain, there has long been a perception of a bias against women riders. That perception is backed up by the study: in class one races on the Flat, women jockeys had 1.1 per cent of the available rides. Over jumps that figure was 0.8 per cent.
Vanessa Cashmore, the report’s author, said: “I hope this study helps to provide more opportunities for female jockeys.”
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This is not a problem confined to Britain — in France women were getting so few rides that the authorities introduced a 4lb weight allowance for them in most races last year to encourage more trainers to book them.
Women have enjoyed more success elsewhere. Michelle Payne won the Melbourne Cup in 2015, while Julie Krone had more than 3,500 winners in the United States. However, only three women have ridden in the Derby, while no woman has won a classic on the Flat. Over jumps, they have yet to win the Grand National or any of the feature races at the Cheltenham Festival.
Arnold pointed out, though, that women could have a natural advantage in the future. “A much larger percentage of women are light enough to ride on the Flat,” he said. “In the next ten years there will be fewer male jockeys.”
Female trailblazers
Meriel Tufnell The first woman jockey to win a race, on board Scorched Earth at Kempton Park in 1972. That was the first year that women were allowed to race.
Gay Kelleway The first and only — woman to ride a Royal Ascot winner, when partnering Sprowston Boy in the Queen Alexandra Stakes in 1987.
Nina Carberry The first woman to ride a grade one winner under National Hunt rules on board Leading Run in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown in 2006.
Alex Greaves The first woman to ride in the Derby, finishing last on rank outsider Portuguese Lil in 1996. Greaves was also the first to win a group one race on the Flat.
Hayley Turner The first woman to ride 100 winners in a year, in 2008.
Michelle Payne Caused a stir down under when Prince Of Penzance won 2015 Melbourne Cup at 100-1.
Lizzie Kelly First to ride a grade one winner over obstacles on Tea For Two in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park in 2015.
