Meet Nicola Burns: The Rising Star Among Female Jockeys in Ireland Ireland has a good record of producing excellent female jockeys in the National Hunt sphere but there’s certainly room for improvement in regards to producing riders on the Flat. One up-and-coming rider is looking to fix that so keep an eye on Nicola Burns. Her abilities in the saddle have drawn the attention of many already and the young jockey is only going to get better with more experience. It didn’t take her long to get underway and she continues to go from strength to strength. A first winner at 16 Burns’ first winner came at the Curragh in October just three weeks after gaining her license. Genuine Jim provided this victory, winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap for trainer and father Robbie Burns, who was unsurprisingly delighted. Market leader Purring Along led the field in the early stages of the race and Burns was always tracking the pace on the stands side. The pair were prominent once the groups merged and Genuine Jim picked up well when his jockey asked for an effort. He eventually pulled clear of the main group and runner-up Are You In Or Out chased him home, gaining but never really able to mount a strong challenge. Burns’ mount was well backed before the race and, with hindsight, it’s easy to see why. That was just her 10th ride and she had already gained some decent contacts before that winner. It was to be the first of many for the 7lb claimer and if continuing on her current trajectory, there will be plenty more where that came from. 17 winners and counting At the time of writing, Burns has had 178 rides thus far and 17 of those were winners. A 10 per cent strike-rate for an apprentice jockey is more than respectable and 28 per cent of her rides have made the frame. Her first season yielded six winners, which is pretty impressive considering she only got her license in October. This season she has ridden winners for some of the top trainers in Ireland, including the likes of Ger Lyons, and her growing reputation is sure to provide many more future opportunities. Riding 11 winners so far this season, it would be a big surprise if that tally doesn’t grow substantially by the end of the campaign. Ballinrobe double last month Burns has three winners from 17 rides in the last fortnight and two of those came at Ballinrobe towards the end of June. She had three rides on the day and the first was for her father, but the horse in question could only manage eighth. She then rode Magnetic North for Peter Fahey in a 1m5f handicap and the result was never in doubt. Nicola Burns asked the question with less than two furlongs to go and the 10-year-old responded to her drive, kicking clear to score very comfortably. Ger Lyons’ Heather was next up and she showed her ability to be strong in a finish when holding off the Billy Lee-ridden Elana Osario. The Sky’s the limit Burns continues to impress with good instincts in the saddle and the teenager is clearly a natural horsewoman, boasting traits that are vital to successful riding careers. You would imagine it won’t be long before her 7lb claim is reduced and she’s clearly one to watch. Whilst comparing jockeys isn’t always helpful, she has the potential to reach the levels of the likes of Hollie Doyle, judging by her current trajectory, and more female role models can only be a good thing for the sport.
