Horse racing is in a great position to shout about financial equality
The two-time Grade One-winning jockey is shocked that sportswomen who represent their country at the highest level are still not being paid enough to make a living
Let me start with this: most fledgling jockeys, male or female, do not make it. The majority find it hard to get a reliable stream of rides. Being a jockey is tough, mentally and physically, and, like most sports, very few reach the elite level.
In the past few years, equality in horse racing has become a big talking point. The rise of female jockeys has always been well documented by the racing media and we have certainly given them something to talk about.
From 2015 to 2019, there was a 76 per cent increase of winners ridden by women. However, we do not simply want quantity, we must ride a higher quality of winners to cement our positions within the sport. The most difficult image problem that racing has, in relation to equality, is the lack of female representation at the top tier.
The authorities want an equal number of men and women in the top races, yet I do not agree that the improvement of opportunities can be manufactured by them. It does not matter how many steering groups are created in London offices; the best partnerships that female jockeys have created for themselves have been organic, whether it has been an association with a particular horse that has allowed them to showcase their skills, or chances given to them on the smaller days that have propelled them forward to the bigger stages.
I am fortunate to have had plenty of opportunities to ride in the best races, but I appreciate I am one of the few. I had those chances because of family connections, and because the horses I have partnered in top races, I also rode in their previous races – owners like to keep a successful partnership together.
I have often thought that racing is in a great position to shout about financial equality.
Unlike in many more mainstream sports, men and women earn the same (riding) fee and an equal amount of prize money. I have certainly under-appreciated the fact that this financial equality has allowed me to be secure while attempting to further my career. It is shocking to me that some sportswomen who represent their country at the highest levels are still finding it necessary to stay in full-time employment to remain financially stable.
Of course, sportspeople are not just paid their “fees”. There are endorsements, sponsorships and media appearances. Historically, sportswomen have struggled to obtain sponsorship due to lack of media attention, which limits interest, exposure and funding – especially at grass-roots level. In the past few years, however, businesses have seen the potential of being associated with top women’s teams or competitions, helped by promises of mainstream media, such as the BBC’S coverage of the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
In contrast to other sports, it is perhaps easier for a female jockey to secure sponsorship and media appearances. The fact that we stand out from a predominantly male crowd makes us all the more interesting. The racing media pushes us forward as beacons of equality; being the “token woman” can be very profitable!
Last year was wonderful for women’s sport; the Lionesses reached the semi-finals of the Fifa World Cup, Dina Asher-smith zoomed her way to victory in the 200 metres at the World Championships, and, closer to home, jockey Hayley Turner won on horse racing’s biggest stage, Royal Ascot, becoming the first female jockey to ride a winner there for 32 years.
Women’s sport proved yet again that it has plenty to offer and stories that must be told. It was a golden summer full of future promise, with more media attention opening opportunities for sponsorship.
However, no matter what policies are put in place, the future of women’s sport comes down to the individuals.
It is their time, determination and talent that makes their achievements worth watching.
Horse racing is one of the toughest and most ruthless of sports, but, as Rachael Blackmore has proved, with the right concoction of talent, professional relationships and determination, women can go right to the top.