Birkett praises Silk Series for giving female jockeys more chances

The inaugural Silk Series for female riders has been well received by the jockeys competing in it, and Shelley Birkett was the latest to praise the £100,000 competition introduced by Arena Racing Company.

Birkett rode her first winner of the nine-race series, which concludes at Doncaster on William Hill St Leger day next month, aboard Fayez for David O'Meara in the 1m½f handicap, and is now in contention for top spot, which is held by Nicola Currie.

"This series has been so good for people like me," Birkett said. "I'm having quite a quiet year so being able to get these opportunities in female-only races opens up a lot more avenues and I get outside rides."