Treat female jockeys as equals

France is trying to introduce a new 4lb weight allowance for all female jockeys riding over flat and jumps (excluding class 1 races) believing it will encourage more women to ride and do better in their careers.

However,  this is completely ridiculous because the women who have won big races without having this 4lb claim, when given the opportunity to ride a competitive horse have won on merit and ability due to an equal playing field and not being treated any different to their male colleagues. A prime example of this is Julie Krone who won the ledger Legends race in 2011. Whilst horse racing is a male dominated industry many women struggle with their careers. Josephine Gordon is the Champion Apprentice of the year 2016 and won the title with hard work and determination not because she was given preferential treatment. There have only been 3 female jockeys who have won this title: Josie Gordon, Amy Ryan and Hayley Turner. Women don't want to be patronise.

Some people insist this idea will strongly assist female jockeys, I think its crazy because I don't think  will provide more chances. I am strong believer that you create your own chances in life and you shouldn't wait for them to handed to you. You have to work hard for what you want in life. Owners and Trainers should be encouraged to use female jockeys.

Women should be encouraged to go into racing, be given the same opportunities as men and be able to compete as equals.  The ratio of men to women jockeys is seriously unequal. There are only 53 female jockeys and 354 male jockeys in Britain.

Within the racing community there has been plenty of discussion, some people are against it. Julie Krone who's said its 'laughable and insulting', Jane Elliot described it as 'patronising' and top male jockey Adam Kirby suggesting its 'ridiculous'  but others such as AP McCoy think its a move in the right direction and has suggested it since 2015 saying 'female jockeys are very, very competent riders but perhaps they should receive an allowance like a filly does in a race'. His argument being women aren't as strong, yet the quality of ridding surely cannot just be down to how strong a rider is.

This conflict will continue until women are treated as equals in racing, I seriously hope that France will not impose the weight allowance.

Southwell Races

Yesterday's racing at Southwell proved interesting with outsiders winning including a 20/1 long shot, half the races were won by favourites the other half by outsiders.

The first race saw Medici Moon and Stag Party battling for the lead, pushing each other along the rest of the field chasing. Three furlongs out Panther In Pink also moved up but Stag Party took the lead in this fast paced race. The lead switching regularly, with two furlongs to go Kyllachys Tale headed the race and was quickly ridden clear proving to be unstoppable despite dramatically drifting left, he it went on to win by seven lengths with Medici Moon second and Panther In Pink third.

The 20/1 winner was in the 3:10 ridden by Dale Swift, the five year old Among Angels was always just behind the leaders, with Vroom taking control of the race. Three furlongs out they were all closely packed together, until Among Angels went to join the leader Vroom, soon fighting it out for the lead at two furlongs out and Alpha Tauri (a previous course and distance winner) was also in the mix. In the end it was no trouble for Among Angels to win by 1 length despite having an odd head carriage.

Easiest win of the day goes to Bounty Pursuit in the 4:10 who struggled at the start but managed to take the lead with no problem,  he was driven well clear without any issues when asked for more by his jockey, surely he is one to watch in the future. Bounty Pursuit was one of three Michael Appleby's winners on the day, a yard in good form judging by yesterdays racing.

Its sad to hear Thistlecrack has been ruled out of the Gold Cup due to a tendon tear. This will make for an interesting race.

Remember to check out my twitter feed, I would also like to say a massive thank you to Tommo for giving me his autograph and being so lovely, but I don't think I will become a jockey just yet!