The history of women and horse riding spans diverse epochs and societal attitudes. In ancient civilizations like Persia, Greece and Rome, women of noble or aristocratic backgrounds actively participated in equestrian activities, signalling an early acceptance of women in the saddle. The medieval era continued this trend, particularly among upper-class women who were often permitted to ride for leisure and display their equestrian skills in tournaments.
The 19th century marked a notable shift in societal attitudes during the Victorian era, with an increased acceptance of horse riding as a socially respectable pursuit for women across various social classes. Despite these strides, societal norms and restrictions persisted, limiting women’s access to certain activities, including horse riding. In competitive horse racing, explicit barriers were prevalent until the late 19th and early 20th centuries when female jockeys emerged, breaking through historical constraints and reshaping the narrative of women in organized racing events. Now, women’s contribution to the equestrian world is bigger than ever. Can you guess the first female jockey who won the Australian favourite race “The Melbourne Cup”?
First female jockey to win the Grand National – Rachael Blackmore
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Rachael Blackmore from Killenaule, County Tipperary is a National Hunt jockey who has made history in equestrian sports as a jockey. She achieved her first win in 2011 with Stowaway Pearl and later became the Aintree Grand National’s first female winner aboard Minella Times in 2021. According to CGTN, Blackmore said, “I don’t even know if I am Rachael Blackmore anymore! I never even thought about having a ride in the race let alone win it when I started out in 2011,” she added. “I guess the message from my success is that anyone can dream.” In the 2020/2021 season, she finished as the Jockeys’ Championship runner-up with an impressive 92 winners.
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In 2021 at the Cheltenham Festival, Blackmore accomplished something truly impressive. She won six races and made a name for herself after attaining victory in the Champion Hurdle riding Honeysuckle. She made history by becoming the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022 riding A Plus Tard. She said to News CGTN, “I don’t feel I am either a female, a male or even a human at the moment,” said Blackmore. “It is unbelievable. I don’t know what Henry does with the horses. He gave me such a spin out there.”
On her way to her 1000th win – Hayley Turner
On 3rd November, Hayley Turner stood on the cusp of a historic milestone, aiming for her 1,000th career win at Newcastle aboard Britannica in the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novice Stakes at 8:00. The Lingfield meeting boasted two Listed races, with Queen Aminatu eyeing consecutive victories in the BetMGM Fleur De Lys EBF Fillies’ Stakes at 1:12, and the British debut of the well-related filly Andraste, steered by James Doyle in the BetMGM River Eden EBF Fillies’ Stakes at 1:47. All the action unfolded live on Sky Sports Racing.
Later in the evening at Newcastle, the Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap at 8:30 featured Sydney Bay in pursuit of a course-and-distance hat-trick, while Blackcurrent aimed to sustain his impressive form. The card, filled with competitive matchups, including the intriguing Kraken Power, promised a thrilling day in horse racing, with live coverage of all 18 races accessible on Sky Sports Racing.
BBC Sports Personality of the year 2020 – Hollie Doyle
On November 6th, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle made history by becoming the first female jockey from outside Australia and New Zealand to ride in the Melbourne Cup. Piloting Future History, a promising five-year-old, Doyle expressed her honor and excitement for this groundbreaking opportunity. The Melbourne Cup, Australia’s premier horse race, was broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, with the main event kicking off at 4 am.
Doyle’s Melbourne Cup ride is part of her global tour, which recently included witnessing her husband Tom Marquand’s victory at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in California. The couple is now set to continue their journey, moving from Australia to Japan for a short-term contract that will keep them in Tokyo until Christmas, marking their second consecutive year based there.
First female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup – Michelle Payne
Michelle Payne, hailing from Miners Rest, Victoria, emerged as a remarkable figure in the racing world despite early hardships. Raised in a family deeply rooted in horse racing, Michelle, the youngest of ten children, embarked on her equestrian journey at 15, securing her first win on Reigning at Ballarat. Throughout her career, Payne faced significant challenges, notably a near-fatal fall in 2016 that led to pancreatic surgery. Undeterred, she made a triumphant comeback, accumulating over 700 victories, including notable Group One wins such as the Melbourne Cup in 2015 aboard Prince of Penzance. In 2016, Michelle and her brother Stephen were honored as the Queen and King of Moomba, further highlighting her enduring impact on Australian racing.
2016 Champion Apprentice – Josephine Gordon
Josephine Gordon, the 2016 Champion Apprentice, has become a highly reliable jockey in the horse racing world. Her breakthrough came in June 2015, and her 2016 campaign included over 70 winners, earning her accolades such as Lady Jockey of the Year and Apprentice of the Year. Notable victories include the Victoria Cup on Fastnet Tempest and the Chipchase Stakes on Koropick in 2017. After that contract ended, Gordon told the Racing Post: “I would like to thank Hugo for taking the plunge and appointing me two years ago which gave me so many opportunities including winning my first group race. Also I was able to ride in my first Grade 1 race in the U.S. which is something I’ll never forget.”
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Gordon reached a milestone in November 2017 by becoming the second female rider to win 100 races in a calendar year. While her partnership with Hugo Palmer ended, she continues to ride winners for various trainers, with notable horses to watch like Chartered, Majestic Dawn, Brian The Snail, and Global Hunter. “The plan now is to ride as a freelance this year and I’ve been riding out for a few new trainers lately including Ed Dunlop, who I’ve never ridden work for before.” She said
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Josephine Gordon’s net worth is undisclosed, but her earnings since January 2015 exceed £3 million, with £1.8 million from winning prize money. She has been associated with trainers like Sir Michael Stoute, Hugo Palmer, and currently rides for Ralph Beckett, Phil McEntee, and Saeed bin Suroor.
Watch this story: World Championship Stallion Withdrawn From Major Equestrian Event After Medical Condition Surfaces.
Written by:
Edited by:
Shifa Jahan
