Hayley Turner retires and announces pregnancy

Grade 1 winning heroine Hayley Turner has announced her retirement from the saddle with immediate effect and is expecting a baby in October.

In a statement released on X, Turner said: "I have decided to retire from being a jockey following my winner at Southwell last week especially as I had my first ride at the racecourse on 27 March 2000.

"I am very excited to also announce that I am having a baby in October, all being well, which I have been planning for the last two years. My family and I are all very excited.

"I would like to thank everyone that has supported me over the years especially Michael Bell, David Simcock, Andrew Balding and Harry Eustace. I would also like to thank my riding agent, Guy Jewell, who has been my agent for the majority of my career.

"I am looking forward to my next life chapter but will be focusing on the baby in the short term."

Turner, who is now 42, recorded two British Group 1 victories aboard Dream Ahead in 2011's July Cup and Margot Did in the Nunthorpe Stakes in the same year. She was the first female rider to partner 100 winners in a calendar year, and holds the record as all-time leading rider at the Shergar Cup. In America, she claimed Grade 1 success in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park, riding I'm a Dreamer for trainer David Simcock.

Of 1022 British career victories – the record for a British female jockey - Turner also memorably registered a Group 2 win aboard Barshiba in 2010's Lancashire Oaks. She held a creditable record at Royal Ascot, adding the Sandringham, Palace of Holyrood House, and Britannia handicaps to a first-class racing CV.