List of female Grand National jockeys
Since 1977, female jockeys have been allowed in the Grand National horse race since the passing of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. A total of 16 female jockeys have entered the Grand National since then.
Charlotte Brew on her horse, Barony Fort, was the first female to compete in the race, in 1977. In 1982 Geraldine Rees became the first woman to complete the course. She rode Cheers to eighth (and last) place. That time, Brew returned with her horse Martinstown; this was the first Grand National with two female jockeys entering.
In 1988, female attendance was at an all-time high, as three females entered for the first time. Penny Ffitch-Heyes, Venetia Williams and Gee Armytage all started the race. Sadly, neither of their horses made the finish.
In 2005, after an absence of 11 years, there was once again a woman entering the Grand National, this time the race saw female jockey Carrie Ford finish in fifth, then the joint-best performance by a woman. She shared the record with Rosemary Henderson, the last female jockey to start the race.
In 2012 the first female jockey to finish in the top three was Katie Walsh on Seabass, and she broke the record for the highest finish for a woman.
Nina Carberry has started six Grand Nationals, a record for a woman.
Female jockeys
Year | Jockey | Horse | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | Charlotte Brew | Barony Fort | Did not finish (horse refused) |
1980 | Jenny Hembrow[1] | Sandwillan | Did not finish (horse refused) |
1981 | Linda Sheedy | Deiopea | Did not finish (horse refused) |
1982 | Geraldine Rees | Cheers | 8th |
1982 | Charlotte Brew (2) | Martinstown | Did not finish (unseated) |
1983 | Geraldine Rees (2) | Midday Welcome | Did not finish (horse fell) |
1983 | Joy Carrier | King Spruce | Did not finish (unseated) |
1984 | Valerie Alder | Bush Guide | Did not finish (horse fell) |
1987 | Jacqui Oliver[2] | Eamon's Owen | Did not finish (unseated) |
1988 | Penny Ffitch-Heyes | Hettinger | Did not finish (horse fell) |
1988 | Venetia Williams[3] | Marcolo | Did not finish (horse fell) |
1988 | Gee Armytage[4] | Gee-A | Did not finish (pulled up) |
1989 | Tarnya Davis[5] | Numerate | Did not finish (pulled up) |
1994 | Rosemary Henderson | Fiddlers Pike | 5th |
2005 | Carrie Ford | Forest Gunner | 5th |
2006 | Nina Carberry[6] | Forest Gunner (2) | 9th |
2010 | Nina Carberry (2) | Character Building | 7th |
2011 | Nina Carberry (3) | Character Building (2) | 15th |
2012 | Katie Walsh | Seabass | 3rd |
2012 | Nina Carberry (4) | Organisedconfusion | Did not finish (unseated) |
2013 | Katie Walsh (2) | Seabass (2) | 13th |
2014 | Katie Walsh (3) | Vesper Bell | 13th |
2015 | Nina Carberry (5) | First Lieutenant | 16th |
2016 | Nina Carberry (6) | Sir Des Champs | Did not finish (unseated) |
2016 | Katie Walsh (4) | Ballycasey | Did not finish (unseated) |
2017 | Katie Walsh (5) | Wonderful Charm | 19th |
References
- ↑ Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Jenny Hembrow". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ↑ Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Jacqui Oliver". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ↑ Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Venetia Williams". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ↑ Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Gee Armatyge". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ↑ Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Tarnya Davis". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ↑ Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Nina Carberry". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.