Gordon's achievements mask ongoing block for women jockeys

Congratulations to Josephine Gordon, who will be anointed champion apprentice at Ascot on Saturday, the third woman to wear the crown after Hayley Turner and Amy Ryan. Her progress has been swift and sure, yet it remains one of racing's paradoxes that the junior title is still a slippy stepping-stone to the senior ranks.

Gordon is clearly a very able jockey, and her continuing experience will only reinforce that ability, but she is only a handful of rides away from losing her claim and when she does it is almost inevitable that the demand for her services will dwindle. It doesn't seem fair, and it isn't, but that's life, that's racing.

Next year some owners and trainers will doubtless employ Georgia Cox and Hollie Doyle instead, for their ability to claim as well as their ability, and so the merry-go-round goes.