Riding High
Lucy Alexander, the pioneering female jockey, made her mark in the racing world, shattering records and earning over £1million in prize money throughout her impressive career. Breaking barriers as the first woman to be crowned champion conditional jockey, Alexander was a force to be reckoned with.
A Promising Start
Beginning her racing journey in 2011, Alexander caught the attention of renowned trainers, including Grand National winner Gordon Elliott. Despite being the only female professional jumps jockey on the northern tracks at the time, her popularity soared, with her agent, Richard Hale, modestly commenting, "It has not been hard to sell her."
A Record-Breaking Season
Alexander's standout achievement came in the 2012/13 season when she became the champion conditional jockey, surpassing all expectations and recording an impressive 38 wins. Even injuries couldn't hinder her success as she overcame a broken collarbone and concussion to claim the title. She also pocketed £215,483 in prize money that season.
Enduring Tough Times
As the lone woman in the weighing room at the time, Alexander faced her fair share of challenges. However, she was a mentally tough individual and adapted quickly to the unconventional setting. Reflecting on the experience, she remarked, "As for the jockeys, they wander around with no clothes on all the time, but you get used to that very quickly and it certainly doesn't faze me."
A Career-Ending Injury
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Alexander's promising career came to an abrupt halt during a race at Newcastle in 2020. While riding Chanting Hill, the favorite, she fell and was subsequently kicked by another horse, resulting in a crushed L3 vertebra. This devastating injury required the insertion of metal rods in an attempt to rectify the damage.
A Premature Retirement
Almost nine years after becoming champion conditional, Alexander made the difficult decision to retire. At just 31 years old, she expressed her disappointment, stating, "It's obviously not the way I'd have wanted it to end. My back has improved but it's still incomplete healing, and it's been 17 months now." Despite hoping for a possible comeback, Alexander acknowledged that the injury made it impossible for her to continue riding.
A Bittersweet Conclusion
Although her career was cut short, Alexander can look back on her groundbreaking success with pride. It serves as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices jockeys make in their pursuit of victory. While her story ended tragically, she joins the ranks of other jockeys, such as Martin Lane and George Baker, who experienced unexpected turns in their lives after leaving the sport.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/2-5-million-colt-diego-velazquez-impresses-on-debut/
