What a U–turn
HAYLEY BACK IN THE SADDLE TO RACE IN FRANCE
HAYLEY TURNER will take on “a new challenge” next winter – moving to France to make a full-time return to the saddle.
Turner, Britain’s most successful woman jockey, ended a 15-year race-riding career in November 2015.
But the 34-year-old has been tempted to make a comeback by French racing’s 2kg allowance to female riders.
Turner, who made a ‘one-off ’ appearance at the Shergar Cup at Ascot last August, was back on track last month to partner Flying Sparkle to victory at Windsor before scoring on Hart Stopper at Yarmouth.
And the dual Group 1 winner, who has worked as a pundit for ITV’S racing coverage during the summer, said yesterday: “I’m still enjoying riding – it’s good fun and I’ve nothing to lose by going over there.
“I’m not doing an awful lot this winter – I don’t cover the jump racing, obviously, and thought it would be a good opportunity.
“It’s been planned for a while, but I wanted to make sure ITV were happy with what I’m doing – they’ve really looked after me this year. It’s something new – a new challenge.”
Turner, who in 2008 became the only Uk-based woman rider to amass 100 wins in a calendar year, intends to take weekday mounts in Britain and France before relocating at the end of the Flat season.
She added: “I do most Saturdays for ITV. The ones that I don’t do, I’ll be
riding and racing during the week. I’ve got an agent over there, Herve Naggar.
“He looks after the top boys and he hasn’t got a girl on his books, but he’s happy to take me on.
“He’ll organise a few for me to ride and I can come and go until after Champions Day (at Ascot on 21 October). Then I’ll base myself over there more for the winter.”
Last February, Turner voiced her opposition when French racing authority France Galop ruled that female jockeys could claim the equivalent of 4.4lb from March onwards, describing the policy as “a bit unfair on the lads”.
But the prospect of receiving the allowance – allied to less travelling across the Channel than in Britain – has proved impossible to resist.
Turner said: “It’s a no-brainer. I’m going to be claiming 2kg off some jockeys who haven’t even had as many winners as me. Personally, I don’t think it was needed, but if someone gives you a £20 note you take it, don’t you?
“So that’s what I’m doing!
Turner intends to resume her ITV work when the 2018 Flat season starts next March.
But Nottinghamshireborn Turner ruled out a return to compete on the Flat in Britain.
She said: “I’ve done it for 15 years and I don’t have the ambition to do it.”