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Cheltenham 2026

Cheltenham Lady Jockeys

Updated on Mar 5, 2026

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup A PLUS TARD winning jockey Rachael Blackmore celebrates after her success
Photo Healy RacingThe success of Lady jockeys at the Cheltenham Festival broke new ground in 2018 with four victories, each provided by a different rider with Lizzie Kelly becoming the first professional jockey to triumph, followed by Bridget Andrews, while amateurs Harriet Tucker and Katie Walsh also enjoyed memorable victories.

Lady jockeys kept up the momentum in 2019 with another four winners including the first two at Grade 1 level. All four winners were for professional lady riders including two for Ireland’s Rachael Blackmore and one a piece for Lizzie Kelly and Bryony Frost.

Rachael Blackmore then changed the game in 2021 by winning six races at the Festival including her Champion Hurdle success aboard Honeysuckle and becoming the first Lady jockey to win the coveted Leading Rider Award.

Overall: 17 winning lady jockeys, with 46 wins between them

First: Miss Caroline Beasley - Eliogarty, 1983 Foxhunter Chase.

First professional rider: Lizzie Kelly - Coo Star Sivola, 2018 Ultima Handicap Chase.

Most successful: Rachael Blackmore with 18 wins

Best race: St James's Place Foxhunter Chase - 2020 Miss Maxine O’Sullivan: 2018 Miss Harriet Tucker; 2017 Miss Bryony Frost; 2016 & 2015 Ms Nina Carberry; 2004 Miss Rilly Goschen; 2002 Mrs Fiona Needham; 1995 Miss Polly Curling; 1989 Miss Katie Rimell; 1983 Miss Caroline Beasley.

Andrews, Bridget (1 win)

Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle: 2018 Mohaayed

Andrews, Miss Gina (1 win)

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase: 2017 Domesday Book

Armytage, Miss Gee (2 wins)

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase: 1987 The Ellier

Beasley, Miss Caroline (1 win)

St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 1983 Eliogarty

Carberry, Ms Nina (7 wins)

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter): 2005 Dabiroun<

St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 2015 & 2016 On The Fringe

Blackmore, Rachael (18 wins)

Curling, Miss Polly (1 win)

Frost, Bryony (2 win)

Goschen, Miss Rilly (1 win)

Kelly, Lizzie (2 win)

Needham, Mrs Fiona (1 win)

O'Neill, Ms Lisa (1 win)

O'Sullivan, Miss Maxine (1 win)

Rimell, Miss Katie (1 win)

Townend, Jody (1 win)

Tucker, Miss Harriet (1 win)

Turner, Miss Lucy (1 win)

Walsh, Ms Katie Walsh (3 wins)

Cheltenham Lady Jockeys FAQ

Take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the trailblazing records of lady jockeys at Cheltenham.

Who was the first female jockey to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival?

Caroline Beasley (now Robinson) was the first female jockey to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival. She rode her own horse Eliogarty to victory in the 1983 Foxhunters Chase.

Which Cheltenham race is the most successful for female jockeys?

The Princess Royal Challenge Cup (historically known as the Foxhunter Chase) is the most successful race for female riders. Including Caroline Beasley's historic first-ever female victory at the Festival in 1983, women have won this race 10 times in total.

How many female jockeys have ridden a winner at the Cheltenham Festival?

A total of 16 lady jockeys rode a winner across the festival's history.