The ladies’ conveyor belt goes into overdrive

Race-riding tutor Cathy Gannon says that a massive coaching initiative in British horse racing has uncovered a wealth of gifted young women jockeys.

The whole racing scene has been illuminated by the likes of Hayley Turner, Hollie Doyle, Rachel Richardson, Nicola Currie and Josephine Gordon on the flat.

And over jumps, Lucy Alexander, Bryony Frost, Lizzie Kelly, Bridget Andrews, Page Fuller and Brodie Hampson have all snatched the spotlight.

In tennis, women play shorter matches than men. In football, there was a debate at the recent Women’s World Cup about making the goals smaller.

However, our trailblazing women jockeys compete on an equal basis with men every single day.

No concessions, no allowances, no fuss. Irish rider Gannon rode 440 winners for the likes of Henry Candy, Mick Channon, Andrew Balding and Kevin Ryan.

She is now back in Ireland, riding out with Eddie Lynam in County Meath.

Cathy had to retire from race riding after breaking all the toes in her left foot before becoming Britain’s first female jockey coach.

“Every apprentice in the UK is assigned a jockey coach, and there is no doubt that has been crucial in a lot of the young girls coming through,” explained Gannon.

“So from a few of us picking up bits and pieces from experience, apprentices now have a solid grounding.

“From fitness, race preparation and positions to take up in a race, to the simple task of walking the course before racing, everything is covered.”

Lucy Alexander

(right) became

Scotland’s first female professional jockey eight years ago, aged 21. Two years later she was champion apprentice with 38 winners in 2012-13.

If the likes of Gannon and Turner led the way on the flat, Alexander flattened the grass for the jumps’ girls, riding for dad, Nick, from their Kinneston yard near Leslie in Fife.

Over time she has earned outside rides for many other top trainers, such as Evan Williams, Donald Mccain and Jim Goldie.

In June, Perth punters were treated to her front-running ride on Always Tipsy, perfectly timed to beat champion Richard Johnson on a short-priced favourite.

“I’m sure that the emergence of a few successful women riders has opened up new options for girls who are interested in racing as a career,” added Alexander.

“There has always been a lot of girls doing the various jobs in the industry. But now they clearly see the possibility of being a jockey as realistic.”

There is evidence of the girls creating a working empathy with some of our grumpier equine racers, and there is no better example than 24-year-old Frost.

For many observers, the ride of the year thus far was her masterful frontrunning victory on Frodon in the Ryanair Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

And the conveyor belt just keeps grinding on, with Nigel Tinkler’s 18-yearold apprentice, Izzy Clifton, riding five winners this summer in her first season.

Yes, the girls are here to stay.