Sir Anthony McCoy, the 20-times Champion Jumps Jockey, has given his backing for a female riders’ weight allowance which has come into action in France.
Now under French rules, women riders, be them amateur riders or professionals will all receive weight a 2kg (4.5lb) allowances in races blow Group and Listed races, a proposal which is seen by the French racing authorities to give women a fairer and more equal chance in the sport by promoting their skills more.
McCoy who proposed the idea last year on television, commented in his William Hill blog: “I haven’t changed my stance that a female riding allowance is a good thing. If anything I’ve hardened my view since originally mentioning it.
“Statistically women have found it difficult to compete for opportunities and I want women to have more chances.
“Lizzie Kelly won a Grade 1 last season, she gave it a great ride, but did it do a lot for her career? Has she ridden 50 more winners this year? No, because of a lack of opportunity, and whether Lizzie likes it or not, trainers opt for a bloke most of the time.
“I genuinely think women jockeys in France will now have a better chance of making a living.
“If I was female, I’d be riding in France by the morning, because it’s a great opportunity and incentive. It will hopefully encourage more young girls to get involved with the sport.”
The move has been seen as controversial with British jockeys including leading women rider Josephine Gordon calling the allowance ‘offensive’.
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