Derby Rich layout 24/4/09 21:06 Page 1
Leading lady
Hayley Turner, racing pin-up and this year’s Face of the
Epsom Derby, chats to Maggie Walsh about the highs
and lows of life in the saddle
M
ore comfortable in the saddle
Hayley, 26, became a professional
than teetering in high heels and a
jockey three years ago and is widely
fancy frock, Face of the Epsom
respected in the world of racing for her
Derby Festival Hayley Turner finds
ability, admired by her weighing room
herself a reluctant spectator at this year’s
associates, owners, trainers and the media
prestigious calendar event. Although she is
alike. Her racing chums were horrified by
looking forward to her role as the Face,
her fall.
Britain’s most successful lady jockey was
When I first spoke with Hayley she was
hoping that some rides might be on the
cards too.
recuperating at home, under strict medical
Unfortunately a terrible accident in
orders to rest while she waited for further
March put an end to that dream. Hayley
tests before being allowed back on a horse. This is a devastating blow for the young
was riding the gallops at Newmarket for
“Please God they give me the all-clear,” sporting pin-up, who started 2008 hoping
trainer Phil McEntee back in March, when
she sighed at the time. “I feel fine now.” to land at least 70 winners. In the event,
the horse she was on broke a leg and
Sadly, her prayers were not answered. she surpassed herself, captaining the Great
catapulted the jockey to the ground.
She has been told that the bruising on the Britain team in the Shergar Cup at Ascot,
“I’ve been riding since I was three years
brain sustained in the fall will sideline her and becoming one of four nominees for
old and this is the worst fall I’ve had in all
from racing until March 2010. An official the Flat Jockey of the Year title at the
the years,” she exclaims.
ruling from The British Horseracing Horserace Writers and Photographers
“I honestly can’t remember what
Authority’s chief medical advisor, Association Derby Awards – the first
happened. I had concussion and bleeding Dr Michael Turner, prevents Hayley from woman rider to have made the shortlist.
in the head and spent a few days in renewing her jockey’s licence for a further Hayley was holding her own against her
hospital.” 10 agonizing months. male jockey counterparts on a level
70
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