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.
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. Nina Carberry, Katie Walsh and Rachael Blackmore all started six Grand Nationals, a joint record for a woman.
Female jockeys
| Year | Jockey | Horse | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Charlotte Brew | Barony Fort | Did not finish (horse refused) |
| 1979 | Jenny Hembrow | Sandwilan | Did not finish (horse fell) |
| 1980 | Jenny Hembrow (2) | Sandwillan (2) | Did not finish (horse refused) |
| 1981 | Linda Sheedy | Deiopea | Did not finish (horse refused) |
| 1982 | Geraldine Rees | Cheers | 8th (and last finisher) |
| 1982 | Charlotte Brew (2) | Martinstown | Did not finish (unseated) |
| 1983 | Geraldine Rees (2) | Midday Welcome | Did not finish (horse fell) |
| 1983 | Joy Carrier | King Spruce | Did not finish (unseated) |
| 1984 | Valerie Alder | Bush Guide | Did not finish (horse fell) |
| 1987 | Jacqui Oliver | Eamon's Owen | Did not finish (unseated) |
| 1988 | Penny Ffitch-Heyes | Hettinger | Did not finish (horse fell) |
| 1988 | Venetia Williams | Marcolo | Did not finish (horse fell) |
| 1988 | Gee Armytage | Gee-A | Did not finish (pulled up) Briefly led race at 19th fence. |
| 1989 | Tarnya Davis | Numerate | Did not finish (pulled up) |
| 1994 | Rosemary Henderson | Fiddlers Pike | 5th |
| 2005 | Carrie Ford | Forest Gunner | 5th |
| 2006 | Nina Carberry | Forest Gunner (2) | 9th |
| 2010 | Nina Carberry (2) | Character Building | 7th |
| 2011 | Nina Carberry (3) | Character Building (2) | 15th |
| 2012 | Katie Walsh | Seabass | 3rd |
| 2012 | Nina Carberry (4) | Organisedconfusion | Did not finish (unseated) |
| 2013 | Katie Walsh (2) | Seabass (2) | 13th |
| 2014 | Katie Walsh (3) | Vesper Bell | 13th |
| 2015 | Nina Carberry (5) | First Lieutenant | 16th |
| 2016 | Nina Carberry (6) | Sir Des Champs | Did not finish (unseated) |
| 2016 | Katie Walsh (4) | Ballycasey | Did not finish (unseated) |
| 2017 | Katie Walsh (5) | Wonderful Charm | 19th |
| 2018 | Bryony Frost | Milansbar | 5th |
| 2018 | Katie Walsh (6) | Baie Des Iles | 12th |
| 2018 | Rachael Blackmore | Alpha Des Obeaux | Did not finish (horse fell) |
| 2019 | Rachael Blackmore (2) | Valseur Lido | 10th |
| 2019 | Lizzie Kelly | Tea For Two | Did not finish (pulled up) |
| 2021 | Rachael Blackmore (3) | Minella Times | 1st |
| 2021 | Tabitha Worsley | Sub Lieutenant | 14th |
| 2021 | Bryony Frost (2) | Yala Enki | Did not finish (fell) |
| 2022 | Rachael Blackmore (4) | Minella Times (2) | Did not finish (horse fell) |
| 2023 | Rachael Blackmore (5) | Ain't that a Shame | 17th |
| 2024 | Rachael Blackmore (6) | Minella Indo | 3rd |
| 2024 | Gina Andrews | Latenightpass | 12th |
References
- Keogh, Frank (10 April 2021). "Rachael Blackmore wins Grand National on Minella Times". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Jenny Hembrow". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Jacqui Oliver". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Venetia Williams". Eclipse. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Gee Armatyge". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Tarnya Davis". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- Sara Waterson (27 March 2011). "Grand National Ladies - Nina Carberry". Eclipse. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
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