Hayley Turner: The First Female Jockey to Ride 100 Winners in a Calendar Year

When Hayley Turner took her first ride as an apprentice jockey in 2000, few could have imagined the trail she was about to blaze—not just in the saddle, but across the entire racing landscape.

From modest beginnings in Nottinghamshire, Turner’s journey has become one of the most transformative in British racing history. Often referred to as a pioneer, her name is now permanently etched into the sport’s timeline—not simply for her victories, but for the doors she helped open along the way.

Turner didn't come from a racing dynasty. Her mother was a riding instructor, and although horses were a part of her life, the racing world was not the path laid out for her—it was one she carved for herself. After studying at the Northern Racing College, she joined Michael Bell’s yard and began building a career grounded in grit, resilience, and a clear passion for horses.

Her early career wasn’t without heartbreak. Her very first ride at Southwell ended in tragedy when her mount, Markellis, suffered a fatal injury. But Turner kept going. Just eight rides later, she celebrated her first win at Pontefract—and that moment was only the beginning.

Over the years, Turner notched up an extraordinary list of firsts:

The first female jockey to ride 100 winners in a calendar year.

The first woman to win a Group One race outright on the Flat in Britain.

The first to surpass 1,000 career wins.

And beyond those accolades, she became something even more powerful: proof.

Proof that women belong at the very top of this sport. Proof that gender is not a limitation when it comes to talent, drive, or results. And proof that by showing up, riding out, and refusing to back down, change is not only possible—it’s inevitable.

Turner’s story is one of fierce determination. From riding out winters in Dubai to breaking through in international races like the Beverly D Stakes, she earned respect in every corner of the globe. Injuries, setbacks, suspensions—none of it kept her from returning stronger and more focused. Even retirement didn’t last. She came back, revitalised by a stint in France where female jockeys were finally being recognised with a weight allowance, and went on to secure her first Royal Ascot win in 2019.

It wasn’t just about the wins—though there were plenty. It was the who and how she won. Horses like Dream Ahead, Margot Did, and Barshiba weren’t just racehorses. They were her co-pilots on a journey that was as much about breaking boundaries as it was about breaking records.

With every ride, Turner made the weighing room a little more inclusive. With every post-race interview, she challenged outdated perceptions. And with every milestone, she quietly dismantled the narrative that women in racing were only ever the exception, never the rule.

As of April 2025, Hayley Turner hangs up her boots once again—this time after clocking over 1,000 winners in Britain alone. Her final victory came fittingly at Southwell, the same track where it all began. Full circle. Poetic, really.

Hayley’s impact goes far beyond the racetrack. Many female riders stand taller today because of the path she carved—whether they say it aloud or not. She didn’t just ride horses. She rode a movement. One that asked, “Why can’t we?”—and then answered it with action.

Hayley Turner may be stepping away from the saddle, but the ripples of her presence will continue to shape the sport for years to come. And for every young girl watching from the stands, she leaves behind more than a record book—she leaves behind permission.

Permission to dream. Permission to push. Permission to ride.