9 Famous Female Horse Racing Jockeys You Should Know About

The world of horse racing has, no doubt, been dominated by men. Notwithstanding, there are women in the sport, although few who have made waves and earned a reputation for themselves. These outstanding women have proven to the world that women have what it takes.

According to the author and casino gambling expert Joyce R. Knox, women are capable of doing anything they set their hearts to and should never be underestimated, especially in sports like horse racing. Due to these women’s extraordinary performances, Ontario online casinos allow gamblers to wager money on female horse racing jockeys since the games can be quite competitive and thrilling. While most casinos are more interested in offering gambling services in games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and more, many of them are now allowing players to wager on racing events.

Here are some of the most famous women jockeys of all time.

Scroll to continue with content

1. Julie Krone
Julie Krone grew up with horses around her, and by the age of 14, she was privileged to watch Steve Cauthen win the Triple Crown (1978) at age 18, which inspired her to become a female jockey. She started professionally racing in 1981 at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida with a horse named Tiny Star. She won her first race after a month of hard work and later became famous.

By 1993, she had won the Belmont Stakes and established herself as the first female to do so. She won several races at tracks including Meadowlands, Gulfstream Park, Atlantic City Race Course, and Monmouth Park. She retired in 1999, started riding again in 2002, and won the Breeder’s Cup race in 2003 as the first female. She later retired again in 2004 after she sustained some injuries. She won various awards during her time and was inducted into the Hall of Fame and the National Museum of Racing.

2. Michelle Payne
Born in 1985, Michelle Payne grew up on a farm and looked up to her older siblings, who were racers. When she was 15, she competed in her first ever professional race. Michelle won her first race at Ballarat on a horse named Reigning, which her father had trained. She suffered an accident during one of her numerous races at 18, and she sustained injuries to her head. Payne later recovered and was soon racing again.

She won the Melbourne Cup in 2015 and was the first woman to achieve that feat with odds of 100-1. She was one of many female jockeys inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2016 and had several awards. She holds a dual jockey and trainer license and has trained other stellar athletes.

3. Rosie Napravnik
Born to parents who worked in the horse industry, she rode horses at a tender age. She competed in her first race at age 7 and worked with different trainers during her youth. She left high school to pursue her career and won several races, including the Louisiana Derby and Kentucky Oaks. She’s the only woman to compete in the three Triple Crown races and the first to win two Breeders’ Cups in 2012 and 2014. She retired when she was pregnant and is now a professional horse trainer.

4. Chantal Sutherland
Chantal Sutherland, born in 1976, is a female jockey, TV personality, and model who grew up riding horses since her father was a trainer. Her interest grew, and she won her first race competing at Woodbine Racetrack after graduating from college. She was the first woman to win the Santa Anita Handicap and the coveted Dubai World Cup. She has won several races, including the Sunset Handicap, Miami Mile Handicap, and Hollywood Gold Cup.

5. Rachael Blackmore
Blackmore is said to have started riding at a young age. She attended college and graduated with a degree in equine science. Rachel began to compete during this time and won her first race in 2015. She became the first female to win the Conditional Riders’ championship in Ireland and has since won several other races. In 2021, she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National at Aintree,

6. Diane Crump
Crump faced hostility from the crowd because of her gender at her first Hialeah Park Race Track race. She won her first race after two weeks of this event. She had won over 200 horse races in her lifetime and paved the way for other aspiring women jockeys. She later retired and is a trainer who runs an equine business.

7. Rosemary Homeister, Jr.
Rosemary Homeister, Jr. was brought up in a family of equestrians and followed in her parent’s footsteps to become a jockey. She became the first female to win the Eclipse Award for apprentices. Rosemary had won almost 3,000 races during her lifetime and finally retired in 2015. She has received several recognitions and awards in the sport.

8. Hayley Turner
Turner made waves in the UK in flat racing. In her first year as a professional, she won 100 flat races in the United Kingdom. She has raced in several countries and won many accolades during her time. She has received awards, including the British flat racing champion apprentice award.

9. Donna Barton Brothers
Like the others on this list, Donna came from a family of jockeys and started her professional career in 1987. She won over a thousand races in her lifetime and retired in 1998. She now works as a broadcaster and conducts horseback interviews.

Conclusion

This list shows that a woman horse racing jockey can achieve as much as her male counterparts. These women broke the stereotype and are legends in their field. Their names will never be forgotten, as what they’ve achieved transcends time.