New wave of female Flat jockeys could be set to turn the tide in Irish racing

It is just over two years since Europe's richest race confined to female jockeys was introduced at Leopardstown, the €50,000 Microsoft Cup.

Of the 12 riders involved, eight were based in Ireland – six amateurs and two 7lb claimers – and four hailed from overseas, including the winning jockey Hayley Turner. She was one of only two riders in the field without a claim.

The race has not been run at the same value or under the same name since – with Covid putting paid to the initiative in 2020 – but the inaugural event unintentionally shone a light on the lack of professional female riders on the Flat in Ireland.