Jockey Lizzie Kelly has announced her probable retirement from racing after revealing she is expecting a baby.
The 27-year-old said she would “not be returning to the weighing room this season, and in all likelihood not at all” signalling the end of an 11-year career in the saddle.
Kelly became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race in Britain when landing the 2015 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Tea For Two, and partnered the same horse to more Grade 1 glory in the Betway Bowl at Aintree two years later.
She has twice enjoyed handicap success at the Cheltenham Festival, on Coo Star Sivola in 2018 and Siruh Du Lac in 2019, and became only the second woman to ride in the Gold Cup, in 2017.
Kelly wrote on Twitter: “After finding out that my husband and I are expecting a baby I will not be returning to the weighing room this season and in all likelihood not at all.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank the huge amount of people who have helped along the way; my husband Ed, Mum and Chester, Rodi Green, Neil King, Ginge and the hoards of other people who taught me, helped me and encourage me over the past 11 years.
“The girls in the weighing room who made it feel like home and the lads on the other side who were always so good to me. I really have had a career that I could never imagined and I’ve been blessed to be associated with the horses that I have ridden."
Kelly has not raced since Jumps racing returned from its coronavirus shutdown last week, with what is likely to be her final ride having come at Taunton on March 17.
She added: “I will still be heavily involved in racing through mine and Ed’s new venture Valentine Bloodstock, which will focus on my love of dealing with young stock and I hope to continue working within the racing media, something I’ve always enjoyed and am passionate about.
“I’ll really really miss race riding but won’t miss those saunas! It’s been a dream. Thanks to all.”
