10 of the Greatest Female Jockeys

While women have historically been underrepresented in the sport, there have been many talented female jockeys who have made significant contributions to the world of horse racing. Here are ten of the most successful female jockeys in the history of thoroughbred racing:

1. Julie Krone: Julie Krone is widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of all time, male or female. Over the course of her career, she won more than 4,000 races, including the 1993 Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2000, becoming the first woman to receive that honor.
2. Rosie Napravnik: Rosie Napravnik is one of the most successful female jockeys in the history of thoroughbred racing. She won more than 1,800 races during her career, including the 2012 Kentucky Oaks aboard Believe You Can. She was the leading rider at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans for five consecutive years, and was inducted into the Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame in 2016.
3. Chantal Sutherland: Chantal Sutherland was one of the most successful female jockeys of the 2000s, winning more than 1,000 races during her career. She became the first female jockey to win the Santa Anita Handicap in 2011, aboard Game On Dude. She also rode Game On Dude in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic, finishing second.
4. Kristina McManigell: Kristina McManigell is one of the most successful female jockeys of the past decade, winning more than 500 races during her career. She was the leading rider at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) in 2009, becoming the first woman to win a riding title at the track. She also won the prestigious Pennsylvania Derby in 2010 aboard Morning Line.
5. Emma-Jayne Wilson: Emma-Jayne Wilson is one of the top female jockeys in Canada, having won more than 1,200 races during her career. She was the first woman to win the Queen’s Plate, Canada’s most prestigious race, when she rode Mike Fox to victory in 2007. She has been named Canada’s top jockey three times, and was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2020.
6. Hayley Turner: Hayley Turner is one of the most successful female jockeys in the history of British racing, having won more than 800 races during her career. She was the first woman to ride 100 winners in a calendar year in the UK, and she has won numerous Group 1 races, including the July Cup and the Nunthorpe Stakes.
7. Kathy Kusner: Kathy Kusner was one of the first female jockeys to make an impact in the world of thoroughbred racing. She was the first woman to be granted a jockey’s license by the Maryland Racing Commission, and she won more than 100 races during her career. She also competed in the 1968 Olympics as a member of the U.S. equestrian team.
8. Donna Barton Brothers: Donna Barton Brothers is one of the most successful female jockeys in the history of the sport, having won more than 1,100 races during her career. She was the first woman to win a Breeders’ Cup race, when she rode Missed the Storm to victory in the 1991 Juvenile Fillies race. She later became a highly respected analyst and commentator for NBC Sports, covering major horse racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup.
9. Rosie Higgins: Rosie Higgins is a highly respected jockey who has won more than 1,000 races during her career. She has been a regular presence on the Southern California racing circuit, and has won numerous stakes races at tracks such as Santa Anita and Del Mar. In addition to her success on the track, she is known for her tireless work ethic and her commitment to promoting the sport of horse racing.
10. Julieanne Horsman: Julieanne Horsman is one of the top female jockeys in Australia, having won more than 200 races during her career. She has been a regular rider at major tracks such as Randwick and Flemington, and has won numerous Group races. In addition to her success as a jockey, she is also an accomplished journalist and commentator, providing insightful coverage of the sport for various media outlets.

These ten women are just a few examples of the many talented and accomplished female jockeys who have made their mark in the world of thoroughbred racing. Despite the challenges and obstacles they have faced, they have persevered and succeeded in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by men. Their achievements have paved the way for future generations of female jockeys, and they continue to inspire and encourage women who aspire to compete at the highest levels of horse racing.