Margot puts Turner first among equals

 

Chris McGrath
Saturday 20 August 2011 00:00 BST
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For a conservative community, it is still startling to see the rider of a Group One winner clasping her prize with fingers decorated in pink nail varnish, as did Hayley Turner here yesterday; or indeed to see so many kisses administered in congratulation. But if she has earned the unanimous respect of British horseracing, then the best way of showing it is no longer to treat Turner as just an unprecedented female achiever – but as a jockey taking her rightful place among her peers in the elite.

Six weeks ago today, Turner became the first woman to ride a Group One winner outright when landing the July Cup on Dream Ahead. Yesterday, riding another feisty female in Margot Did, she added the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes – the very race in which Alex Greaves had made her own historic breakthrough by sharing a dead-heat in 1997. And if the bare form makes it hard to rate Margot Did a champion, her partner has certainly made an unrivalled impact in the division this year.

A more obvious romance had suggested itself in the emergence this summer of Hoof It, representing the local veteran, Mick Easterby. But the favourite, dropping down from six furlongs, missed the break badly and was always on the back foot down the centre. In contrast, Margot Did was blazing away at the head of a posse on the stands side, and held another outsider, Hamish McGonagall, by three-quarters of a length.

Credit for their role must go to Michael Bell, who has supported Turner for 10 years, and of course Margot Did herself, it being rare indeed for a three-year-old filly to dominate seasoned sprinters. Having said that, another one was unlucky not to join issue, Wizz Kid having met plenty of trouble before taking fifth, just ahead of Hoof It.

Turner offered due thanks to Bell. "It must have been difficult for him when I first started, pushing owners to put a girl on their horses," she said. "Hopefully, I can repay him by riding winners like this. I can't believe it, it's the best season ever."

It was also a landmark day for Alan McCabe, who saddled his first Group winner, Caspar Netscher, in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes. Caspar Netscher may yet be targeted at the Breeders' Cup, and that is perhaps the next frontier for Turner, too. For now, William Hill offer 9-2 that she rides a British Classic winner before 2016.

Turf Account

Chris McGrath's Nap

Beaumont's Party (2.15 Sandown) Did well to get involved after looking uncomfortable on the track at Epsom last time. Has had a good break since and can resume his previous progress.

Next Best

Dafeef (2.0 York) May turn over a new leaf, gelded and now with a new trainer.

One to watch

Archbishop (Brian Meehan) caught the eye at York on Wednesday, tanking along in the van before fading on the tiring ground.

Where the money's going

Ted Spread is 16-1 from 25-1 with the sponsors for the Betfred Ebor Handicap this afternoon.

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