The latest evidence suggesting that women jockeys are shockingly underused in jump racing came last Wednesday in the south-west of Ireland, where Listowel’s valuable and prestigious Kerry National was won by Wrath Of Titans under Lisa O’Neill. Twelve years into her career as a jockey, O’Neill has had a mere handful of chances over steeplechase fences but proved skilled enough to deliver a five‑length win, beating the likes of Ruby Walsh, Davy Russell and Tom Scudamore.
“It was amazing,” O’Neill said on Tuesday, still borne along by the thrill of that victory, even after a full shift as a bid-spotter at a yearling auction, another of her several roles in racing. “I was just so happy to get a ride in such a big race. For him to come out and win was just exceptional.”
Asked about the major contests in which she had previously taken part, O’Neill mentions the Ladies Derby she won at the Curragh in 2010 and a hurdles race at Cartmel last summer for which the jockey’s prize turned out to be a necklace worth £45,000. She came in for the mount aboard Wrath Of Titans only because the horse had been given such a low weight, just 9st 3lb after her claim was deducted as well. Few modern jump jockeys can boil themselves down to that level.
Yet Gordon Elliott, the winning trainer, had no qualms about using the previously unsung O’Neill, who had been based at his County Meath yard for three years. “He’s been very good to me,” she said. “I’ve been around racing a long time and I’ve probably always dreamed of getting a chance to win a big race like this. But I know how tough a game it is and for girls especially.”
On the subject of how few doors are ever opened to women jockeys in jump racing, an area in which Ireland is doing rather better than Britain, O’Neill said: “Over the years, it’s got a little bit better. Rachael Blackmore has raised the bar quite high since turning professional, she’s a great girl.
“You get out of it what you put into it. It’s a lot of hard work and very male‑oriented but once you can prove yourself among the boys, you get chances.”
That being said, she does not expect Listowel to be any kind of springboard for her personally. “I think at this time, I take what I get and enjoy it. I love going racing and riding horses. I enjoy what I do and I feel I didn’t ever really expect to get as big a winner as I had last week.”
Her work for Elliott includes helping out in the office, driving the box and pre‑training some horses. She was kept so busy last week that the celebrations didn’t take place until five days after Wrath Of Titans crossed the line. “We weren’t too well on Monday morning...”
In her moment of triumph, O’Neill was wearing the maroon silks of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who has certainly done his bit for equal opportunities in racing, having also given Katie Walsh the ride on Thunder And Roses when that pair won last year’s Irish National.
“Nina Carberry rode a big winner for us as well,” points out Eddie O’Leary, Michael’s brother and racing manager. “Katie won her first Grade One on one of ours. We have no issues regarding female riders. They can be as good as men if they get the chance.”
Of O’Neill, he said: “Gordon thinks the world of her. She rides very well and can do a light weight. If they’re young and enthusiastic and hard-working at Gordon’s, they get on.”
