Five Times Female Allowance May Have Changed History

The new introduction of a 2kg (four pound) allowance for female jockey’s in France has created a number of opinions, with riders and the racing public split on whether or not it is a good addition and if it should be introduced to racing across the channel. With a lot to be gained from the allowance, it’d be crucial in picking our horse racing tips in the future and would force trainers to start using female jockey’s with there being such an advantage to be gained in the top races. This got us thinking about how history could have been changed if this allowance had been introduced at a much earlier date, and we have put together five examples of where female jockey’s may well have won top races with the allowance taken into account.

1997 Nunthorpe Stakes – YA MALAK (Dead Heat, ridden by Alex Greaves) 

Despite the bridle breaking just before the start, David Barron’s Coastal Bluff managed to dead heat after being joined on the line by Ya Malak, ridden by Alex Greaves. With a 4lb allowance taken into account, its almost certain that she would have won the race outright. Greaves rode over 300 winners in her career and was the first lady to ride in the 1000 Guineas, showing just how talented she was as a rider.

2010 Lowther Stakes – MARGOT DID (Beaten by 3/4 of a length, ridden by Hayley Turner)

Despite not having a clear run at the two furlong pole, the Michael Bell trained two year old stormed home late under Hayley Turner, only beaten 3/4’s of a length at the line. With how much she was gaining towards the line, a 4lb difference would have made the result much, much different and it’s very unlikely that Hooray would have held on in that instance. Turner needs no introduction as one of the most successful female British flat jockeys in history, winning two Group 1’s in a brilliant career.

2012 Grand National – SEA BASS (Beaten by five lengths, ridden by Katie Walsh) 

Touching down over the final fence alongside the eventual winner Neptune Collonges, Sea Bass was given a brilliant ride by Katie Walsh to finish third place, only emptying with half a furlong to go and beaten by five lengths. It goes without saying how talented Katie Walsh is, and with a 4lb claim in that instance it is highly likely she would have become the first female jockey to win the Grand National, with how important weight is in the race.

2016 Fred Winter Hurdle – COO STAR SIVOLA (Beaten by 3/4 of a length, ridden by Lizzie Kelly)

In this situation, we are hypothetically going to say that Lizzie Kelly would have gotten the 4lb allowance plus her 5lb claim for being an apprentice. Prominent throughout after being given a brilliant ride by Lizzie Kelly, Coo Star Sivola came charging home as leader Romain De Senam tired up the hill late on, finishing 1/2 length behind the eventual second who was only beaten a head by the winner. Given a 4lb allowance, Kelly would almost certainly have taken advantage and added another graded race to her already growing list of achievements, which of course includes being the first female rider to win a Grade 1.

2016 Cesarewitch – FIRST MOHICAN (Beaten by three lengths, ridden by Hollie Doyle) 

As in the last instance, we will once again be hypothetically saying that Hollie Doyle would have had her 5lb apprentice allowance plus the 4lb female jockey allowance. Out the back by some twenty lengths at one stage, First Mohican charged home under Doyle to only be beaten by three lengths. With stamina the key in such a long distance flat race (2m 2f), its highly likely that 4lb would have shifted the balance of the race and given Doyle a huge winner at an early stage in her career.

ANALYSIS 

There is sure to be many, many more occasions additional to the ones we have listed where female jockey’s could have overhauled their male counterparts if given the allowance. This does raise the all important question, do they really need it? This season Josephine Gordon has proved that she can ride with the best male jockey’s and beat them on level terms, with so many other female jockey’s capable of the same. Even just as recently as the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day, Lizzie Kelly proved on Agrapart that even without her apprentice allowance she is just as talented as her male counterparts, beating Daryl Jacob on L’Ami Serge despite looking a sitting duck at the final fence. With how much potential these young female jockey’s have shown, it could well be unfair to give them such an advantage. After all, on equal weights, if Josephine Gordon was riding in a top race with a 4lb advantage, she would be a nightmare to race against.

What do you think about of the allowance in France and the possible introduction in Britain? Let us know on Twitter, where you can also find the latest news and opinions leading up to the Cheltenham Festival and beyond. We also have horse racing tips ready and waiting for all the racing this weekend which aren’t to be missed with another £150 win accumulator landed this week!