Horse racing is a popular sport that has been enjoyed by many for centuries. Throughout the years, it has become a professional sport with professional jockeys competing in races. Although horse racing is typically a male-dominated sport, there is still a growing number of female jockeys in the sport. This article will explore the current number of female jockeys in horse racing and the challenges they face in the sport.
Current Number of Female Jockeys
According to the Jockey Club of Great Britain, there are currently over 1000 female jockeys registered with them. This is a significant increase from the 338 female jockeys registered with the Jockey Club in 2000. This increase is a positive sign for the sport and indicates that more women are becoming involved in horse racing.
In the United States, the Jockey Club of America has reported that the number of female jockeys in the sport has increased by over 40% since 2012. This is an encouraging sign that more women are becoming involved in horse racing.
The number of female jockeys in horse racing is also increasing in other countries around the world. In New Zealand, for example, the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing organization reported that the number of female jockeys has increased from 8 in 2018 to 11 in 2019. This is a positive sign that more women are becoming involved in the sport of horse racing.
Famous Female Jockeys
There have been some very successful female jockeys throughout the years. In the United States, some of the most famous female jockeys include Julie Krone, Rosie Napravnik, and Chantal Sutherland.
Julie Krone is one of the most successful female jockeys of all time. She started her career in 1983 and has since won over 3100 races and over $90 million in purses. She is the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race and is widely regarded as one of the best female jockeys of all time.
Rosie Napravnik is another successful female jockey. She started her career in 2006 and has since won over 2000 races and over $60 million in purses. She is the first female jockey to win a Breeders’ Cup race and has won several major races throughout her career.
Chantal Sutherland is one of the most successful female jockeys in the United States. She started her career in 2003 and has since won over 1000 races and over $45 million in purses. She is the first female jockey to win a Preakness Stakes race and has won several major races throughout her career.
Challenges Faced by Female Jockeys
Despite the increasing number of female jockeys in horse racing, there are still many challenges that they face.
Gender Discrimination
The most significant issue that female jockeys face is gender discrimination. This is a problem that is not unique to horse racing, but it is still a major issue in the sport. Female jockeys face a lack of respect from their male counterparts, and they are often overlooked for opportunities to ride the best horses. This type of discrimination makes it difficult for female jockeys to achieve success in the sport.
Physical Strength
Another challenge that female jockeys face is their physical strength. Horse racing is a physically demanding sport, and female jockeys often struggle to keep up with their male counterparts. This is due to the fact that male jockeys tend to be larger and stronger than female jockeys, which can give them an advantage in the sport.
Lack of Support
Female jockeys also face a lack of support from the racing industry. This is due to the fact that the racing industry is still largely dominated by men, and female jockeys do not receive the same level of support that their male counterparts do. This lack of support makes it difficult for female jockeys to achieve success in the sport.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number of female jockeys in horse racing is increasing, and there have been some very successful female jockeys throughout the years. However, female jockeys still face many challenges in the sport, such as gender discrimination, physical strength, and lack of support. It is important that the racing industry does more to support female jockeys and ensure that they are given the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
FAQs
Q. What is the current number of female jockeys in horse racing?
A. According to the Jockey Club of Great Britain, there are currently over 1000 female jockeys registered with them. In the United States, the Jockey Club of America has reported that the number of female jockeys has increased by over 40% since 2012.
Q. Who are some famous female jockeys?
A. Some of the most famous female jockeys include Julie Krone, Rosie Napravnik, and Chantal Sutherland.
Q. What challenges do female jockeys face?
A. Some of the challenges that female jockeys face include gender discrimination, physical strength, and lack of support.