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I’m amazed and saddened to read that Hayley Turner is retiring due to ‘lack of opportunities’….its a real setback for women jockeys that somebody as good and successful as Hayley can’t sustain her career any longer.
We can only hope that a bit like Jamie Spencer she has second thoughts and the announcement creates enough publicity for her to be offered enough opportunities for her to be able to carry on.
Why should we hope that exactly, wordfromthewise?
Hayley’s opportunities have been reduced and her riding ability has tailed off somewhat, but she still gets plenty of rides that lots of journeyman jockeys would be delighted to receive. In my view, Hayley’s decision to retire is an illustration of why she never made it to the top on a consistent basis. Instead of vowing to fight for rides and battling to forge some new links with top stables, she is quitting. I think this shows that she never had the self-contained drive and qualities of a champion.
Another factor in this decision could be that Hayley is now 32. Obviously I know nothing about her personal life, but perhaps she is thinking about starting a family.
It’s been disappointing that Hayley wasn’t able to kick on from her Group 1 successes. If anything her career has gone into reverse and she was struggling to pick up more than a couple of rides a day.
I wonder if she has anything in the pipeline career wise?
According to the RUK app she’s appearing on ATR this morning to explain her decision. I would have thought an RUK ambassador would be announcing her retirement there.
Well I thought she was still an RUK ambassador but she’s moving on a free transfer to ATR.
I think it’s a shame, I didn’t realise she was getting so few rides/winners these days. Still not in Seb Sanders territory though.
Tough on anyone having to retire at 32. As the RP points out, at least she’s never played the gender card. Reportedly hoping to get on reality TV shows – I’m a Celeb was mentioned…I find that the saddest of all when your agent is hawking you around on the D list.
Maybe CH4 will employ her.
Maybe CH4 will employ her.
She couldn’t be worse than Ms. Spencer.
She has emphasised that it’s not down to lack of opportunities but a change of lifestyle. She also stated that since her last injury setback she just hasn’t been the same jockey as before, taking less risks on a ride and becoming nervous on keen horses. If she has lost all confidence in getting back to her best then this isn’t a surprising move, especially at her age.
Good luck to her, she has been a good ambassador for the sport, for females in particular and will remain so in the future I presume.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>steeplechasing wrote:</div>
Maybe CH4 will employ her.She couldn’t be worse than Ms. Spencer.
Given their history, I don’t think that will ever be an option for her until Ms Spencer moves on.
Sad that she has come to this decision as she is a good strong competent jockey but at 32 maybe she is wanting to look at starting a family and this is the right time for her all things considered – I guess being a pundit on ATR will give her that better work/life balance to allow her to do these things.
Good luck to her.
Hayley Turner is the best European female jockey I’ve seen. At her best Top 10 jockey FULL STOP. Sad but not surprised; been evident for a while she hasn’t been the same since injury. Think her own reasons are her business.
Good luck to her whatever she decides to do.
Value Is EverythingIt’s a tough sport for females to make their mark in. The task of steering big beasts in the racing game is something many people are always going to prefer that a man be given the duty of.
Not just in racing but in sports in general, even where there is no physical reason that a female should be inferior, it is generally accepted that the male has the more single minded and career driven mentality to become a success.
The maternal instinct that is natural for any woman to possess is also a factor in trying to dedicate yourself to a career that is at odds with so many aspects of motherhood.
I doubt that many punters are going to be too concerned about whether we lose a female jockey from the ranks. For all the bluster and focus on “The Girls” at the recent Shergar Cup, it’s a pretty low priority in the scheme of all things Racing to have a particular percentage of female jockeys in the game.
Hayley has had 17 winners this season, from 208 rides, an 8% strike rate and Cathy Gannon, Sammy Jo Bell and Rachel Richardson have all had more winners than her, despite all having had less rides. Rachel Richardson’s strike rate is actually more than double Hayley’s is, on 20%.
Hayley was never a negative for me being on a horse but I can’t say I saw her as a particular positive either. That’s something people can argue about if they wish but it’s owners and trainers who decide who they want on their horses so it’s a moot point anyway.
If I were Hayley I would steer away from all the faux celebrity crap that might be offered. It’s non-entity TV for failed career resurrection via the last roll of the desperation dice. I don’t see why a career that has nothing to do with racing should be out of the question. There is plenty more work out there that is more rewarding for the soul and more worthwhile in contributing to society. A family and a settled life is much underestimated in these days of X-Factor/Talent/Celebrity obsessed TwitFace Culture.
Maybe Hayley will be a nurse this time next year but I doubt it. More likely to be slumming it on ATR in a 4th tier role whimsically entitled “Hayley’s Comments”
Good luck to her wherever she ends up.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Sad to see her packing it in. Hope she makes a go of it on ATR. Hope she doesn’t go down the reality TV road.
Comes across as a very likeable, modest, down to earth lady.
I’d give her enormous credit for always retaining her femininity and never playing the gender card.
She can look back with pride on her accomplishments in the saddle.
Good luck to her in the future. Hope she stays away from all that celebrity reality sh*te on TV.
I think it’s a shame, I didn’t realise she was getting so few rides/winners these days. Still not in Seb Sanders territory though.
Not to derail the thread, but each time I see your avatar, I’ve been meaning to compliment you on your fine taste in music. The best country singer in history imo
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