First female jockey winner - Hayley Turner takes July Cup at Newmarket on Dream Ahead
Last updated 7/10/2011 5:12:22 PM
First female jockey winner - Hayley Turner takes July Cup at Newmarket on Dream Ahead
Late replacement jockey Hayley Turner scored one for the girls whens she became the first female jockey to win a Group One race outright as she took the July Cup at Newmarket on Dream Ahead.
Third choice Turner was only drafted in to ride the horse after the colt's regular rider, William Buick, was called away to ride at York.
She hit the front on David Simcock's 7-1 chance only in the last 50 yards.
Alex Greaves was the only previous woman to win at the highest level; dead-heating for first on Ya Malak in the Nunthorpe Stakes in 1997 coincidentally she was at Newmarket to see the latest landmark and hugged Turner in the winner's enclosure.
Turner has reached several landmarks in her career, including becoming the first female jockey to ride 100 winners in a year [2008].
She earned her first Group One success with a well-timed charge on Dream Ahead, who was last year's joint champion juvenile with Frankel and bounced back from coming fifth at Royal Ascot to finish ahead of Bated Breath and Hitchens.
"It's massive. I'm just thrilled. It's really fantastic," said Newmarket-based Turner, 28, who was born in Nottinghamshire.
"I haven't sat on the horse before so I can't take much credit. Obviously David has done a fantastic job and thanks to the owners for having me on board."
Simcock said William Buick, who was riding at York, and Jamie Spencer, who was in America, would normally have been the first two choices for the ride.
"Hayley has ridden winners for me and I was very confident. The majority of the time it's about the horse not about the jockey," he said.
"She's a confident girl and deserved this."
Turner has been based with Newmarket trainer Michael Bell for a decade, and he told Racing UK: "From a very early age she always looked a special talent, she rides like a man.
"She's natural and very strong. Hayley has been the pathfinder, she has done it without family connections and has done it well."
Turner rounded off a memorable day by completing Newmarket double with victory on 8-1 chance Overpowered in the penultimate race.