'The worst thing was the ridicule' - how women fought to change racing forever

We almost take it for granted now, with Rachael Blackmore winning the Grand National and Gold Cup, Hollie Doyle riding five winners at one meeting and Hayley Turner beating the boys for 20 years, yet everything being achieved on a level-playing field by female riders today is only possible thanks to the hard yards gained by the pioneers of yesteryear.

Think Charlotte Brew, the first woman to ride in the Grand National in 1977, and Joanna Morgan, the first to ride in a British or Irish Classic on the Flat the previous year.

Then there was Val Greaves, the first woman to ride against professionals in 1976, and Diana Thorne, the first to win over jumps the same year.