The only French she knows is 'je ne comprends pas' – but Britain's most successful female jockey Hayley Turner is to resurrect her career full-time in France this winter to take advantage of the weight allowance for female riders. Turner, 34, the first female to ride a Group 1 winner outright in Britain, retired from the saddle in 2015 to move into broadcasting, working as a pundit for ITV and At The Races. But she has continued to hold her jockey's licence, riding at the Shergar Cup last year, and a return to action to partner two winners for former boss Michael Bell fuelled speculation she would race-ride more regularly. And now Turner has revealed that France's introduction of a 2kg (4.4lb) weight allowance this year to increase opportunities for female jockeys was too good an opportunity to miss. "I've had it in the back of my mind for a while," she said on Saturday. "I spoke to Michael Bell and James Fanshawe about it, who I ride out for, and they thought it was a good idea. "That's why I started having a few rides again. I just wanted to make sure ITV were happy with it before I made it official." Turner hopes to link up with Chantilly trainer Francis Graffard, for whom she has ridden out. She has enlisted an agent, Herve Naggar, and plans to take more rides in Britain before relocating across the Channel from the end of the turf season. "Herve Naggar looks after all the top boys and has no light jockeys or girls on his books but was happy to take me on," she said. "I think he'll organise a few for me to ride and I can come and go after Champions Day, then I'll try to base myself more there. "I've nothing to lose by going there. I'm enjoying riding still, but I can't just rock up over there having not ridden for such a long time. I do most Saturdays for ITV but hopefully on the days I'm not involved in I can ride as well as during the week. "I could stay here and ride for the winter but have done that for 15 years. I don't have the ambition to do that. The prize-money is not that good and there's a lot of travelling; it just doesn't appeal, whereas this does." France-Galop's decision to introduce an allowance in all races below Class 1 received a mixed response in Britain, including from champion apprentice Josephine Gordon, who said she was "a little offended by it". Turner said: "It's a no-brainer really because I'll be claiming 2kg off jockeys who haven't ridden as many winners as me. A lot of girls are turning their noses up at it through pride almost. I've already done it without that, so it doesn't really make any difference to me. "Personally I don't think it was needed, but if someone offered you a £20 note you'd take it. That's what I'm doing." She added: "I've no set plans. I would like to go to Cagnes-sur-Mer for January but I don't know whether my path will take me that way. "I'm looking forward to the new people and learning a new language, something different. My French is absolutely awful. I know 'je ne comprends pas', which means I don't understand! "I'm starting a new chapter and this seems an appropriate thing to do. The rides for the girls have increased, as have the number of winners. It seems to be working." Of the link-up with Turner, who partnered Sir Titan to finish second at Goodwood on Saturday, Graffard said: "I already knew Hayley a little and we talked about it. She's very motivated to take out her licence again and to come and ride in France. She started off by asking if she could come and ride out in the mornings and I was delighted to hear she'd be in France. "My hope is that we can form a good collaboration in the mornings, as well as in the afternoons on the racetrack. I'm not sure I'll be taking horses down to Cagnes over the winter but I'll have plenty for the all-weather meetings at Chantilly and Deauville."
I am pretty sure this is not what the French Racing authorities were aiming at when setting this ridiculous allowance in place but I think it will provide us punters with a very healthy revenue stream during the winter months. The Turner getting a 4lb allowance on any decent animal is like getting a head start.
Absolutely spot on Ron. I'm all for it if it keeps her off my TV. I'm sure she's a lovely person and seems genuine but she is a useless pundit
Ringing in my ears is "Yes , you could have called the winner 2 fur out". Well why the **** didn't you then. Wouldn't mind a tenner for every time she has said that after the race
I think if they were to introduce this 4 pound allowance in the UK, you probably would in time get a female champion jockey. Hayley Turner for example at her best would have a big chance with the 4 pound allowance of doing it. It probably wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to introduce it over here, just to give some of the girls a better chance. France have done the right thing in only having it in class 2s and below, it should never be introduced at the highest level. As there will always be the odd lady rider like Hayley Turner who is as good a rider as a lot of the men. So it would not seem right if a group race was decided in that way. I will certainly be looking out for some of her rides in France, but it won't be easy money like Stick is expecting. He must think bookies have their heads buried in the sand The big question is in regards to how fair this allowance is. Would you rather have Ryan Moore on your horse, or would you rather have Hayley Turner with the 4 pound allowance? Imagine both options are available for Squire on Wednesday.
I think it is sexist and I'm not surprised if some female jockeys feel insulted. After all, if the jockey, whatever sex, is good enough to lose their allowance they are good enough to compete on level terms. I wonder what they have planned for show jumping. Will female riders have to jump one fence less, or be allowed a 4 point start (2 second start in jump offs against the clock)?
If women just stayed at home doing washing, cooking, cleaning and ironing we wouldn't have all this nonsense
How is it sexist to woman, to give them an advantage? I'm going to say it exactly how it is. Woman have a very different genetic make up to man, so they cannot compete with them on a level playing field, in any sport. This is not a sexist comment, it is just being a realist. It's like saying it's sexist to have a separate 100m race for woman, or it's also sexist having lady's tees on a golf course. The only sports they compete with men are equestrian sports, and that's because the horse is more important than the rider, and by quite some way to, but they are still at a disadvantage to a man. The best male rider still has an advantage, over the best lady rider. So unless we start having horse racing for lady riders and horse racing for men, then this 4 pound allowance is the best way to give some of the girls better opportunities. The only lady riders who will be complaining about this are the ones who aren't riding in France, none of the French lady riders will be complaining about being given an advantage.
Fair enough Shergs. We'll just agree to differ, especially re your comment on show jumping. Stick to what you know Shergs
My wife once asked me. "Why do women have more petite feet than men?" I made a terrible mistake when I answered. "It's so they can stand closer to the sink my dear."
And then the wife asked. " Why do brides wear white?" I couldn't eat for two days after answering. " So they can blend in with the white goods."
Have they stopped doing that Liberté, égalité, fraternité stuff in France now? Surely if women are the equal of men, they should be competing with them on the same terms. But the motto does not contain sororité, so maybe the peasants are unashamedly sexist.
Erm, is she the only one who says this? I don't think so. Heck, I've seen similar words on here by one or two of the forum experts from time to time.
Old heed now buried in anything French from bookshelves. Mein Gott, why didn't everyone learn and speak Esperanto? please log in to view this image
