Lisa's rise as a gritty woman

14 April 2012

There's a depressing familiarity to most of what is written about aspiring female jockeys in Britain.

Tradition dictates that the subject is praised for her coolness in the saddle and the way she offsets her lack of power in a finish with balance and timing.

The writer - almost invariably male - then goes on to argue without much conviction that the new kid on the block would hold her own with the Fallons and Dettoris if the sexist majority who dominate the sport would only give her the chance.

And that's where such pieces lose the plot. Granted, women jockeys still face an uphill task making progress in a sport where change tends to be embraced in the way that jockeys welcome mobile phone bans.

But the reason most of them struggle is that they simply aren't as good as the top male riders.

Alex Greaves, who made history as the first woman to ride a British Group 1 winner aboard Ya Malak at York in 1997, has long since had to settle for a career riding in low-value races for her husband, trainer David Nicholls.

Kim Tinkler would also struggle to make a living without the support of her trainer husband Nigel, while the former leading apprentice Jo Badger has disappeared off the radar due to a combination of injury and waning interest now her weight allowance has been taken away.

However, Lisa Jones has a better chance of cracking it than most.

Fifty-five rides as an apprentice in her native South Africa failed to yield a winner. Sixty more when she arrived in England only made up the numbers, but Jones has made rapid strides this season with 29 winners and a level stake profit record which leaves every leading male jockey in the shade.

She said: "When I first came to Britain riding one winner seemed a million miles off, but I couldn't have asked for more than the way things have gone this season. I've gradually learned that some horses like to be asked and others need to be told."

Plenty of female riders can ask a horse to dig deep, but not many can tell one with the dynamism that Jones brings to her job.

A daring swoop up the inside aboard Lord Of The East at Epsom's big bank holiday meeting last month secured victory, while a similar charge on Katiypour later in the day made Jones the first woman ever to ride a double at the home of the Derby.

Katiypour's trainer Brooke Sanders helped pave the way for female riders in the Seventies. She said: "I don't think I've ever been more thrilled with a winner than I was with Katiypour. Lisa handled him beautifully."

Jones is keeping things in perspective but is determined to make the grade.

"That day at Epsom was the first time I've ridden a double and it was a very special occasion as my mum and dad were there," she said.

The star American rider Julie Krone, partner of thousands of winners over the last 20 years, remains the yardstick by which all female jockeys are measured. Nor is it lost on Jones that, less than 24 hours before her big day at Epsom, Krone was partnering the outstanding Candy Ride to land the $1million Pacific Classic at Del Mar in California.

"It's asking a hell of a lot for a female in Britain to do what Julie has done in the States, but the bias here isn't anywhere near so bad as it used to be and a lot of trainers now recognise that a girl can get just as much out of some horses as any man," she added.

"I do think the time will come when a girl breaks into the top 10 here.

"Could it be me? It doesn't pay to look too far ahead, but someone has to do it and if I get the right opportunities I'll certainly give it a go."

The Lisa Jones journey

Age: 20
Birthplace: Natal, South Africa
Weight: 7st 5lb
First ride: 2000
First winner: Dulzie at Southwell in April 2001
Biggest thrill so far: "That first winner and riding two winners at Epsom last month."
Short-term aim: "To pass my driving test and ride 40 winners this year."
Long-term aim: "To make the most of my ability and see where that takes me."

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