"Women will never be equal to men in horseracing"
"An eight stone man would beat an eight stone woman in an arm wrestle because they are stronger, therefore they make better jockeys."
That’s according to racing broadcaster Luke Harvey.“15 times champion jockey Tony McCoy would be the first to admit that as far as being a horseman there are jockeys that are better than him. But when it comes down to strength there is no one better than him, which is why he is champion jockey.”
Although Luke suggests that there is the odd exception when it comes to female jockeys. “The only girl that I have seen in this country that has been anywhere near equal to a man is that of Hayley Turner, she’s exceptional, she’s very strong, she’s tactically very good and she’s equal to her male counterparts.
“But as far as all the others I personally think they are wanting. Hayley is just a one off I have never seen anyone else look like her,” he added.
Having more experience does not create more opportunities for a female jockeys claims Luke. “Having experience is one thing but I just wonder whether any women are quite good enough. Arsenal’s ladies football team, they train three times a week, their playing it all the time, but let’s be honest none of those women are ever going to be in the Arsenal side proper.”
Laura-Jayne Roberts spoke to Luke to find out about the barriers that exist which prevent female jockeys from being equal to their male counterparts.
"Kim Bailey's racing yard"
(VIDEO) Female stable hands are treated differently within racing yards, say staff in the industry.
"It's a strength issue"
Within racing, women are faced with this real and fair debate; whether they can ride a racing finish as well as a man who, as science has proved is physically stronger..
"Riding around in circles"
Going around a track is the usual course, perhaps more fitting to say around in circles for women.
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"Falling short"
The shortage of successful female jockeys may put many young girls off making a career in the saddle.
"Success in flats not heels"
Women are given more opportunities on the flat, one reason proposed for this is that women can now do the low weights better than males.
"Two can play that game"
It used to be said women couldn't stand up to Three-Day-Eventing. Now they are beating the men regularly and actually leading this field.
- Hayley Turner weighing in.jpg)
"Good as a male, exceptional as a female"
A shared opinion amongst people in the racing industry is that you have to be good to make it as a male jockey, but of exceptionally high ability as a female to stand out and be given the opportunities.
"Equality in the workplace"
Female stable hands are treated differently within racing yards, say staff in the industry.