Publication of the Month, November

Jockeys and Motherhood: The Challenges of Women in Horse Racing

A recent paper by graduate Dr Ciara Losty, and Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Dr Shubha Sreenivas explores “The Next Hurdle”.

Horse racing is tough, physically and mentally. For female jockeys, the challenges are compounded by gendered barriers, long hours, and the unique pressures of combining a high-performance career with motherhood. Research shows nearly 80% of jockeys in Ireland experience some form of mental health struggle, and female athletes often face additional expectations and disadvantages compared to men.

Historically, horse racing has been male-dominated, with female jockeys often seen as weaker or less capable. Despite policy changes allowing women to ride and train alongside men, gender stereotypes and structural inequalities persist. Female jockeys are less likely to get opportunities, support, or recognition than their male counterparts, and societal pressures can make motherhood seem incompatible with their careers.

Pregnancy and parenthood bring additional challenges. Many female athletes feel they must delay starting a family until after their careers, fearing physical setbacks, loss of career momentum, or being perceived as less committed. Jockeys compare pregnancy to being injured: both remove them from racing and disrupt a short, high-intensity career. Concerns about injury are amplified by the responsibilities of caring for children, leading to risk-averse decisions.

Support in horse racing lags behind other sports. While some organisations, like Sport Ireland and the Rugby Football Union, now offer maternity policies and guidance for returning to elite sport, the horseracing industry remains “overly traditional and conservative.” There are few role models for jockeys who are mothers, making it harder for women to envision continuing in the sport.

The study highlights a critical need for inclusive policies that support female jockeys through pregnancy and motherhood. Jockey-centred maternity leave, flexible working, and role models in leadership roles could help retain talented women and challenge industry norms. Without these changes, the sport risks losing experienced jockeys and discouraging future generations of women from pursuing a career in racing.

Ultimately, motherhood and horse racing don’t have to be mutually exclusive, but the industry must evolve to make that possible.

Read the full paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825011357