4 February 2017
Crédit photo : scoopdyga.com
From March 1st, all women will receive a 2kg allowance, regardless of their age or status.
(France Galop Press release). - From March 1st, 2017, France Galop will implement 2 kilos allowances for female riders. This pioneering decision on the international racing scene will apply without any age or number of wins restrictions. It is a voluntarist approach that aims to allow women to be more present in racing, one of the very few mixed sports.
Edouard de Rothschild, President of France Galop, always supported the promotion of women racing, notably by setting up a race program restricted to female professionnal riders 10 years ago. More recently, the first Quinté+ (national handicap) restricted to women was organized on October 23, 2016 at Saint-Cloud.
Jean-Pierre Colombu, Vice-President of France Galop, said: "The introduction of an allowance for women is a real opportunity created as an incentive for owners and trainers to support female riders both on the gallops and in the races."
About a hundred female professional riders are listed in France amongst nearly 600 jockeys, and that figure has increased by 36% in the last 10 years. Nevertheless, female riders are currently overwhelmingly less represented in the races than their male colleagues.
The implementation of this allowance also meets the growing commitment of women in the horse racing workforce. According to the Afasec, the French riding school, about 60% of the pupils are girls every season for 15 years, making women account for one-third of the workforce in racing stables, twice as many as 20 years ago. And among the under 20s, there are even more than 50% women in the training yards !
IN PRACTICE
This weight reduction for women jockeys will apply to 90% of races, with the exception:
In Flat:
- Races reserved for women jockeys,
- Class 1 racing,
- National Handicaps (Quinté+ races),
- Listed Races (including races for pure Arabians),
- Group races (including races for pure Arabians and AQPS).
Over jumps:
- National Handicaps (Quinté+ races),
- Listed Races,
- Group races.
The allowance will be combined with other allowances given to apprentices and young jockeys. However, the total allowance can not exceed a total of 4.5 kilograms.
Finally, an equivalent weighing device of 2 kg is provided for the riders in the mixed races of amateurs and in the races of professionals that are open to them.
The allowance also applies in mixed Amateur races.