Racing return for Hayley Turner ahead of Shergar Cup
Hayley Turner has made a return to the racecourse in a “warm-up” for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup next month.
The former top British female Flat jockey retired from racing in November last year.
But Hayley was back in action at Newmarket on Friday evening (15 July) as she prepares to help defend her title in the team event at Ascot on 6 August.
The Shergar Cup involves teams of jockeys — The Girls, Europe and The Rest of the World — go head-to-head in five races across the afternoon.
The Girls — Hayley, Sammy Jo Bell and Emma-Jayne Wilson — were victorious last year.
Australian jockey Michelle Payne had been set to compete alongside Emma-Jayne and Cathy Gannon at the 2016 event, but is out of action due to injury.
Hayley had three rides at Newmarket on Friday, finishing fifth on her first, Yankee Mail, trained by Gay Kelleway.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Her other two rides were the Marco Botti-trained Clenymistra in the Colchester Cancer Centre Campaign maiden fillies’ stakes and He’s My Boy, trained by James Fanshawe, in the Maritime Cargo Services handicap, with whom she finished third.
One of the most successful female jockeys of all time, in 2008 Hayley became the first lady rider to achieve 100 wins in a calendar year.
During her glittering 15-year career, she rode more than 760 British winners and became the first lady to score a victory for The Queen.
She was named champion apprentice in 2005, the same year she rode 44 winners.
Related articles:
- Jockey and equestrian charity founder named in Queen’s Birthday Honours
- 19 facts you need to know about Hayley Turner
- Hayley Turner to retire from racing
Her numerous top-level wins over the years include the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and the Beverley D Stakes at Arlington Park.
In Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday Honours list last month, Hayley was appointed OBE for services to horse racing.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.