Ladies can call the shots at Ayr
All- girl race will get card off to a flier
Women will be out in force at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday night – and not just those glamming up and hoping to win a place in September’s final of our Best Dressed Ladies competition.
Our first race on the card for the second year running is an all- girl riders’ affair and is a tremendous way to get the fixture off to a flier.
The QTS Investors In Young People Lady Riders’ Handicap is open to professional and amateur lady riders and we should see some top lady jockeys in action.
You all know how highly I rate Carol Bartley and she is almost certain to be riding Haidees Reflection for Jim Goldie.
Others who could have mounts include Serena Brotherton, who has ridden 100 winners which is no mean feat for an amateur, Shelley Birkett, Natalie Hambling and Carluke- born Paula Muir, who is a talented rider.
One of the top female jockeys who won’t be in action is Sammy Jo Bell who is still recovering from a serious pelvic injury.
Sammy Jo hasn’t let the injury prevent her from attending race meetings and has twice been at Ayr in her wheelchair.
She is now fit enough to walk again but still faces some time out, and it is ironic that also on Saturday is the Shergar Cup at Ascot, an event in which Sammy Jo rode a winner last year and was part of the ladies team that won the Cup.
Let’s hope this likeable Irish lass is back in the saddle soon and riding winners for her boss Richard Fahey and other northern yards.
Also missing from Ayr on Saturday is Amy Ryan who rode the winner of the corresponding race last year which gave her career win number 145.
Amy hasn’t been back in the saddle since but is helping her dad Kevin train at his North Yorkshire yard. She is also engaged to leading northern jockey Tom Eaves and no doubt planning a wedding so she is certainly keeping busy.
Saturday night’s feature race is The QTS Ladies’ Night Grand Spectacular Handicap over five furlongs at 7.40 pm and Keith Dalgleish saddles Dark Defender in this and could go close. A winner at Ayr a month ago he has the help of Phillip Makin from the saddle and will be primed for a huge run.
I note that Irish raider Adrian Keatley, who saddled seven winners from 14 runners over our opening meetings of the flat season, has several entries including Mo Wonder and Anonymous Lady who were among those aforementioned successes.
Mr Keatley is a man who doesn’t like making the boat trip from his Curragh base without saddling a winner and could be worth following on the night.
Incidentally you can still book tickets online for QTS Ladies night at www. ayr- racecourse. co. uk or by calling 01292 264179.