List of female Grand National jockeys

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Since 1977, female jockeys have been allowed in the Grand National horse race following the passing of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. A total of 20 female jockeys have entered the Grand National since then. Charlotte Brew on her horse, Barony Fort, was the first woman to compete in the race, in 1977. In 1982 Geraldine Rees became the first woman to complete the course. She rode Cheers to eighth place. That time, Brew returned with her horse Martinstown; this was the first Grand National with two female jockeys entering.

Contents

In 1988, female participation was at an all-time high, as three women entered for the first time. Penny Ffitch-Heyes, Venetia Williams and Gee Armytage all started the race. None of their horses made the finish. In 2005, after an absence of 11 years, there was once again a woman entering the Grand National. Carrie Ford finished in fifth, tying Rosemary Henderson's record for the best performance by a woman up to that time.

In 2012, the first female jockey to finish in the top three was Katie Walsh on Seabass. In 2021, Rachael Blackmore, riding Minella Times, became the first female jockey to win the race. [1] In 2025 Rachael Blackmore rode in her seventh Grand Nationals, which is the record for a woman.

Female jockeys

YearJockeyHorsePosition
1977 Charlotte Brew Barony FortDid not finish (horse refused)
1979 Jenny HembrowSandwilanDid not finish (horse fell)
1980 Jenny Hembrow (2) [2] Sandwillan (2)Did not finish (horse refused)
1981 Linda SheedyDeiopeaDid not finish (horse refused)
1982 Geraldine ReesCheers8th (and last finisher)
1982 Charlotte Brew (2)MartinstownDid not finish (unseated)
1983 Geraldine Rees (2)Midday WelcomeDid not finish (horse fell)
1983 Joy CarrierKing SpruceDid not finish (unseated)
1984 Valerie AlderBush GuideDid not finish (horse fell)
1987 Jacqui Oliver [3] Eamon's OwenDid not finish (unseated)
1988 Penny Ffitch-HeyesHettingerDid not finish (horse fell)
1988 Venetia Williams [4] MarcoloDid not finish (horse fell)
1988 Gee Armytage [5] Gee-ADid not finish (pulled up) Briefly led race at 19th fence.
1989 Tarnya Davis [6] NumerateDid not finish (pulled up)
1994 Rosemary HendersonFiddlers Pike5th
2005 Carrie FordForest Gunner5th
2006 Nina Carberry [7] Forest Gunner (2)9th
2010 Nina Carberry (2)Character Building7th
2011 Nina Carberry (3)Character Building (2)15th
2012 Katie Walsh Seabass3rd
2012 Nina Carberry (4) Organisedconfusion Did not finish (unseated)
2013 Katie Walsh (2)Seabass (2)13th
2014 Katie Walsh (3)Vesper Bell13th
2015 Nina Carberry (5)First Lieutenant16th
2016 Nina Carberry (6) Sir Des Champs Did not finish (unseated)
2016 Katie Walsh (4)BallycaseyDid not finish (unseated)
2017 Katie Walsh (5)Wonderful Charm19th
2018 Bryony Frost Milansbar5th
2018 Katie Walsh (6)Baie Des Iles12th
2018 Rachael Blackmore Alpha Des ObeauxDid not finish (horse fell)
2019 Rachael Blackmore (2)Valseur Lido10th
2019 Lizzie Kelly Tea For TwoDid not finish (pulled up)
2021 Rachael Blackmore (3) Minella Times 1st
2021 Tabitha WorsleySub Lieutenant14th
2021 Bryony Frost (2)Yala EnkiDid not finish (fell)
2022 Rachael Blackmore (4) Minella Times (2)Did not finish (horse fell)
2023 Rachael Blackmore (5)Ain't that a Shame17th
2024 Rachael Blackmore (6) Minella Indo 3rd
2024 Gina AndrewsLatenightpass12th
2025 Rachael Blackmore (7) Minella Indo (2)9th

References

  1. Keogh, Frank (10 April 2021). "Rachael Blackmore wins Grand National on Minella Times". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  2. Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Jenny Hembrow". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  3. Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Jacqui Oliver". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  4. Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Venetia Williams". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Gee Armatyge". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  6. Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Tarnya Davis". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  7. Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Nina Carberry". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.