Female weight allowance a success

THE decision to grant female riders a 2kg (4.41lb) allowance in most races has been a roaring success. The latest statistics available at the end of October show that horses ridden by females increased by 91% and victories by a staggering 165%. However, wins by female riders only accounted for 10% of those achieved by their male counterparts.

This change of weight allowance has helped the experienced Delphine Santiago to tot up 57 wins flat wins by early December. Also doing well are Maryline Eon (43) and Adeline Merou (33).

On the jumping side, Natalie Desoutter has 27 successes and another three on the flat. Hayley Turner has also benefitted from the initiative. Since starting to come over to France in mid-August, she has taken 10 races and picked up €261,000 with premiums.