Southwell celebrates International Women's Day with card for female jockeys

Female jockeys enjoyed a record-setting year in 2019 and at Southwell on Sunday they will have the spotlight to themselves as the course hosts an eight-race card to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The unique fixture features a mix of four Flat races and four races over jumps which are exclusive to female jockeys.

Among the exploits achieved last year were Bryony Frost becoming the first woman to ride a Grade 1 winner at the Cheltenham Festival with Frodon in the Ryanair Chase, while Hayley Turner was the first woman since Gay Kelleway in 1987 to score at Royal Ascot.

Khadijah Mellah was the first Muslim woman to ride in and win a race after winning the Magnolia Cup charity race last summer, while Hollie Doyle broke the record for most victories by a female rider in a calendar year with 116 successes.

Hollie Doyle: rode 116 winners last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Doyle has three rides booked for the Southwell meeting, including course-and-distance winner Londonia in the 2m½f handicap, and the jockey noted the importance of racing highlighting the ability of female riders.

"We compete against men every day and we’re equals on and off the track," she said. "It is important for horseracing and for setting examples for other sports that this is recognised."

The number of winners ridden by women in Britain has increased dramatically over both codes in recent years, rising 76 per cent, from 455 in 2015 to 801 in 2019. Furthermore, there has been a 26 per cent rise in women holding a professional licence in that time.

Doyle added: "There have been a lot more women competing in the sport professionally in recent years and I think that the wider industry has realised that, if given the opportunity, women are just as good as men and our gender should not come into the equation."

Megan Nicholls will also be riding at the fixture and is delighted female riders are being given more opportunities to showcase their talents.

Megan Nicholls: rides Oleg for her father, Paul NichollsCredit: Harry Trump

She said: "I’m really looking forward to it. Obviously we have the silk series and the all-female Flat meeting at Carlisle [in August] which always goes down well, so it’s great they’ve managed to put on another card for both codes. It’s a great thing and a move in the right direction."

Among Nicholls’ rides is Oleg in the 2m½f handicap (5.30), a rare Flat runner for her father Paul Nicholls, while the 22-year-old was sweet on Windsor Cross in the mile handicap (3.25).

She said: "It’s Oleg’s first start for us on the Flat. He hasn’t been the easiest horse to train but has plenty of ability and runs well fresh, so as long as he handles the surface he has a right chance.

"I think Windsor Cross has a shout. He’s ran well the last couple of times missed the break a bit last time before flying home so he could go alright."

Bryony Frost is booked to ride in all four jump races but plenty of up-and-coming jockeys are being given their chance to shine, with all other riders apart from Lucy Alexander being claimers.

To coincide with International Women's Day, Great British Racing has also launched its #JustJockeys campaign, highlighting the talents of women in the sport.

Of the initiative, Women in Racing chair Tallulah Lewis said: "It is a great cause to showcase the talented and diverse range of jockeys we are all lucky enough to see riding almost every day."

Southwell are offering free tickets for its all-female riders meeting to members of Women in Racing.

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