A man is physically stronger than a woman so therefore can ride a better racing finish, an argument which female jockeys find themselves facing.

“Men are better jockeys because they are stronger than females it’s as simple as that,” claims retired jump jockey, Victoria Roberts.

Racing broadcaster, Luke Harvey said, “Strength is one of the major key factors in race riding especially when it comes to the finish where a lot of power and muscle is required.”

Women, not only faced with arguments concerned with strength, there is the view they women do not have the right body shape for the sport either.

Chrissie Barnard, stable hand for trainer Charlie Mann, said: “Their bodies aren’t the right shape, they are made differently, and their pelvises are larger.”

“Bottoms are the wrong shape”

Channel Four racing presenter, Lord Oaksey said, “Lestor Piggott, never a man to use two words when one will do said simply, ‘their bottoms are the wrong shape’, and, as usual, he had a point.”

However many of the top riders in other equestrian fields are women who also have different body shapes and different sized bottoms to that of their male counterparts, but have not found themselves faced with this argument.

There is a contradicting view that strength is not a key factor every time a jockey rides a horse and so may not be used as a discriminative reason.

“Technical ability”

Flat jockey Simon Whitworth believes that it is technical ability which is important when it comes to winning races and not always who is the strongest. “In regards to technical ability males and females could be on par, as long as they are taught on par, and they do have this opportunity to be taught the same.”