Why are there not more women horse jockeys?

Question

I would think that women are generally smaller then men so why arent there more women in horse racing?

Answer 1

I've thought about that myself. My guess is that the horse racing culture is one of the few remaining male-dominated bastions. It would be kind of like trying to break into the gentleman's club. A female jockey would have to spend a lot of time in an environment populated by male trainers, groomers, stable hands, etc. She would have to be very determined in her objective, and even then she would probably only be successful if she had a strong male supporter - such as the owner. Lastly (and I'm gonna get blasted for this), a man - especially those wiry jockey types - is just physically and physiologically better suited for the rigors of horse racing. That's my take on it, anyway.

Answer 2

Horse racing is a very grueling sport and takes a great deal of strength on the part of the jockey. Most women do not have that much upper body strength in their arms, etc. A jockey's life is also a rough and tumble one, and most women just are not cut out for that type of thing. And when you say women are so much smaller, most are not. The average jockey can weigh no more than 100 pounds, and most women (and men) are well over that.

Answer 3

There are many women in the horseracing business but most don't become jockeys. Women are often not brave enough (don't be offended by this) so they stick to exercising the horses, which is a little less dangerous than racing. Although they are smaller than men, their bodies are different, usually not as muscular and fit as a man's because women naturally have more body fat. Most women who weigh 108 pounds are probably very skinny or short and stocky, whereas male jockeys are well proportioned and ripped.

Answer 4

Female jockeys only burst on the scene in 1969 when Diane Crump became the first woman jockey to ride in a parimutuel race in North America. That same year, Barbara Jo Rubin became the first woman jockey to win race and Tuesdee Testa became the first female jockey to win a race at a major American Thoroughbred track. Diane now trains on the Kentucky circuit and occasionally rides one of her own horses. Patricia Cooksey has been very successful as have Donna Barton and Andrea Seefeldt but the epitome of success has to be Julie Krone. She is the all time leading female jockey and was the first to win a classic when she took the 1991 Belmont on Colonial Affair. She had retired in 1999, but made a comeback in November 2002 and is successful once again, becoming the first woman to win a Grade 1 race in California in December. Success as a jockey isn't restricted to the Thoroughbreds either. One of the top Quarter Horse jockeys is Tami Purcell who has won most of the major races and ridden champions.

Although there are several successful women jockeys, this is still the area where discrimination shows up the most. Even the top lady jockeys seldom get the best horses and it is even worse for the average girl jock who has to struggle to get many mounts. Interestingly, they are often preferred as exercise riders in the morning while being snubbed for race mounts in the afternoon. It gets progressively better, but racing is still a male dominated sport at the top levels.

Answer 5

There are actually quite a few woman jockeys right now. Back east a lot of them are at the main tracks, here in the west they are mostly at the smaller tracks. Because they tend to be quieter on a horse a lot of them do particularly well in the longer (route) races. The best woman jockey I ever saw (just my opinion) didn't race long enough to become famous, due to injuries. This happens all too often. Racing injuries can often threaten a woman's ability to have babies. Oh, her name was Teresa (or Theresa) English, and she was riding in the S. F. Bay area a little over 20 years ago. I hope she's doing well!

Answer 6

People think that women are weak, and that horse racing is a dangerous sport. I just recently have started training to be a jockey and I'm a woman!

Answer 7

Lots of woman ride race horses Just most feel threatened buy the boys or Just dont have the heart for it ""meaning it a tough sport "" and getting hurt or killed is very likely with One small mistake or do not have the strength and body for it Some times I see a perfect girl for being a Jockey ,, I say u should ride They say they do not like horses .. oh well there have been many good ones Sharon Black ,, Tammy swan,, Holly ..Wood etc robin smith .. etc

Answer 8

Being a jockey is a very demanding very hard job. You have to be very strong to hold back a 1000 pound horse who is hopped up on adreneline. They are very hard to control.
If you fall and most have fallen at least once you can be killed or hurt very badly.
I know many girls who gallop horses for exercise at the track but only a few that are jockeys.

Answer 9

Women in horse racing is a relativelynew concept. Itsnot something that we reallythink about now but women even riding ahorse astride was a new concept even into the 1900's, and even then her place was on a hunt horse thatshe rode sidesaddle. There are more and more women making it in racing. Itis still a tough sport either way.

Answer 10

I don't know, but here's a great website with articles on women jockeys. http://www.equicizer.com/images/equicizer.com/default1.aspx? Once you have entered the site(on the main page), go to the left side & click on LINKS, & you will see many many many other sites relating to horse racing & jockeys. Click on the article about FEMALE JOCKEYS!