The allowance comes into force in March and is in addition to any other allowances claimed and is permanent irrespective of age or number of winners ridden
It has been introduced because women are not been given the opportunities in relation to their numbers involved in the sport .. and not because they are perceived less able or less physically strong .
I hope it is successful because it's quite clear that racing is still male dominated and still chavaunist
Despite the success of Josephine Gordon etc .. a survey in 2013 showed that of all Jockeys in U.K. Only around 6% were female . Despite over 50% of all stage staff been female
http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-ra ... t7DaysNews
4lb allowance for female riders to be introduced in France
-
SeaHorseRacing
- Posts: 2896
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2016 7:06 pm
This may be deleted but I hope not...
I worked for Andrew Balding a few years (2/3) ago. Firstly he was too stuck up to even shake my hand when we met.
His yard is massive about 70 members of staff. He never gives any girl a chance to ride professionally. Guys only.
When I was there a lovely gentlemen who was gay. He was one of the best riders but had been told he wouldnt get the opportunity becuase he wouldnt be able to hack it being gay.
Andrew produces some of the best Jockeys yet most of his staff are female. I suspect this is prevelant throughout most big racing yards.
Alot of these silver spoon born trainers have old fashioned values still.
Additionally although I am not back him or anyone up, You find with guys when they fall off a horse there straight back on with confidence whereas generally most girls are not. Alot of good female riders but they lack the male strength charactieristics throughout.
I worked for Andrew Balding a few years (2/3) ago. Firstly he was too stuck up to even shake my hand when we met.
His yard is massive about 70 members of staff. He never gives any girl a chance to ride professionally. Guys only.
When I was there a lovely gentlemen who was gay. He was one of the best riders but had been told he wouldnt get the opportunity becuase he wouldnt be able to hack it being gay.
Andrew produces some of the best Jockeys yet most of his staff are female. I suspect this is prevelant throughout most big racing yards.
Alot of these silver spoon born trainers have old fashioned values still.
Additionally although I am not back him or anyone up, You find with guys when they fall off a horse there straight back on with confidence whereas generally most girls are not. Alot of good female riders but they lack the male strength charactieristics throughout.
Apparently 1 in 6 of all current licensed trainers have never used a female jockey ...and the likes of Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh would never have ridden the winners they had despite their obvious ability if it wasn't for their family connections .. indeed Kate won a big handicap chase Baie-des-iles today . But it was trained by her husband.
Strange regarding Andrew Balding as both Clare and Emma his sisters both had many rides for their father.
It just needs a complete culture change ... im sure a lot of female jockeys have rode out their claims and then the rides have dried up
I really hope it's a success in France . And maybe some of our female riders will go out there and make a success of it . I know Gay Kellaway who takes her horses over there has advised Brit based jockeys to give it a go . Maybe she will use them
Strange regarding Andrew Balding as both Clare and Emma his sisters both had many rides for their father.
It just needs a complete culture change ... im sure a lot of female jockeys have rode out their claims and then the rides have dried up
I really hope it's a success in France . And maybe some of our female riders will go out there and make a success of it . I know Gay Kellaway who takes her horses over there has advised Brit based jockeys to give it a go . Maybe she will use them
I think Balding just sounds like a d***head and is not reminiscent of the industry as a whole. Why are smaller male jockeys not given this 4lb claim because surely taller and bigger jockeys will be stronger? And I believe even though a woman isn't as strong they are sure as hell of a lot smarter than most of their male counterparts 
And its only 4lb in Group races fyo, silly rule and not well thought out imo.
And its only 4lb in Group races fyo, silly rule and not well thought out imo.
Just to add my little annecdote...SeaHorseRacing wrote:You find with guys when they fall off a horse there straight back on with confidence whereas generally most girls are not. Alot of good female riders but they lack the male strength charactieristics throughout.
My daughter worked at a yard and worked up to taking horses out for training runs and always wore a back protector (you could drive over them with a horse box and they'd be ok). She was thrown when her horse veered just before a fench, flew through the air and landed back first onto the wooden frame. The back protector split in two. She spent 6 hours in hospital being checked, was cleaning out stables that night and riding again the next morning. No shortage of guts in the women I know.
Ian