FORMER jockey Hayley Turner has been awarded an OBE for services to the sport in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Turner, who quit the saddle at the end of last season could hardly contain her excitement at being given the award.
Breaking new ground for female riders throughout her career, Turner shot to fame when she was crowned joint-champion apprentice in 2005.
She went on to become the first female rider to win a Group One contest outright in Britain when steering the David Simcock-trained Dream Ahead to victory in the July Cup at Newmarket in 2011.
More recently, she was part of the Girls team who claimed a memorable success at the Shergar Cup in August last year.
Turner said: “It’s been really difficult trying to keep it a secret, it’s such an honour and I can’t quite believe it.
“My family are not from a racing background, but my mum was a riding instructor. When it came to deciding on something to do with my life, I went into racing because I really enjoyed riding and I wasn’t academic.
“Being a jockey took me all over the world, I rode winners in France, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Africa and America – there aren’t many jobs that take you to those places.
“It’s so nice to be recognised. It’s a tough job but the highs are brilliant. One day you are a hero but the next you start all over again.
“I had some bad injuries, particularly the one at Doncaster, that was the toughest to come back from, but my family and friends gave me loads of support and I got my confidence back.
“I was able to leave on a high, which I was determined to do.
“I rode some big winners, obviously the Group Ones were great, but one of my most memorable rides was the first one back from a head injury.
“I’d been signed off for a year, but the neurosurgeon who treated me helped me appeal and I was back after four months.
“I rode at Ascot and finished second and the crowd cheered me back in, that was very emotional.
“The main reason I gave up was it is a hard life going racing every day when you have to spend roughly five hours a day in your car.
“It doesn’t leave you with time for a social life, you can’t plan anything. Now I can live a normal life.
“I realised it was time to quit when I woke up and didn’t fancy driving to Haydock one day. It set the alarm bells ringing.
“Hopefully there are more girls going to make the breakthrough. Josephine Gordon is doing well, but I’d like to see her get some better rides. The key is when you lose your claim.
“That was when I realised I could make a living out of it, when I started being paid the same as Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore for a ride and I was still having winners.
“I’ve been keeping busy since I finished. I work for At The Races, I’m appearing on a Radio 5Live Sports Panel, I’m at a Longines Women In Sport awards ceremony then it’s Ascot all next week. And I still ride out for James Fanshawe!”
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