Riding around in circles
Racehorse owners do not want female jockeys on their horses because they do not have enough experience, according to those working in the racing industry.
“The top jockeys get more opportunities so hence have more experience, you don’t get opportunities as a girl,” says Amy Dickins, stable hand for Clive Cox.
Racehorse owner, Richard Grey said, “I do prefer my racehorses to be ridden in races by males. Not just because of physical strength but because men have more opportunities and therefore are more experienced.”
This can be seen as a frustrating circle for women. As how are they to get the experience if they are not given the rides in the first place?
“Relies on the owners”
Racehorse trainer Brendon Powell believes that whoever gets the opportunity to ride his horses relies mostly on the owners of these creatures.
“In horseracing the owners have the final say as to which jockey they wish to have riding their horse,” says Brendon. “And half the trouble is trying to get the owners to put girl’s up.
“I suppose if they can have the likes of the top jockeys such as Tony McCoy or Timmy Murphy then their going to have them,” he added.
“Game of fashion”
An element of fashion seems to be very prevalent within the industry. Not in the clothes sense but more in the following trends kind of way. “It’s a game of fashion, whatever jockey is doing well at the time, they will be chosen by the owners to ride and all further owners will follow suit,” expresses Brendon.
It is also suggested that despite whether you’re a male or female jockey, it is virtually impossible for the jockeys not in the top ranks to secure rides.
Brendon said: “Everyone outside the top ten jockeys who are riding at present are discriminated against regardless to whether their male or female, because they will not get the opportunities that the top jockeys get.”
“Prefer women"
However not every trainer and owner will prefer a male jockey, there are those who do prefer women to ride their horses.
Amy said: “Some horses may respond better to the gentler ridden approach given by a female.
“And if the female knows the horse well and has ridden the horse in training, the trainer may have a tendency to use the female over a male who does not know the horse,” she added.
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