At the end of the 2015 turf season, Hayley Turner hung up her racing boots for what was thought to be the last time with a final seasonal tally of 43 wins following her shock retirement announcement the previous August.
But the popular jockey, with Group/Grade 1 wins to her name aboard Dream Ahead (Darley July Cup), Margot Did (Ire) (Coolmore Nunthorpe S.) and I'm A Dreamer (Ire) (Beverly D S.) makes a surprise return to the saddle tonight with three booked rides at her home track of Newmarket.
The 33-year-old, who was awarded an OBE for services to horseracing earlier this year, has been enjoying regular stints as a TV presenter on At The Races but has continued to ride out for trainers in Newmarket, including long-term supporter James Fanshawe, for whom she will ride He's My Boy (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the seven-furlong handicap at 8.55pm. Turner is also set to partner Yankee Mail (Fr) (American Post {GB}) for Gay Kelleway and Clenymistra (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}) for Marco Botti.
Her return to race-riding was prompted by a recall to the women's team for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup fixture following an injury to Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne. Turner will join Shergar Cup regular Emma-Jayne Wilson and Cathy Gannon in a bid to win back-to-back titles for the all-female team at Ascot on Aug. 6.
Turner told the Racing Post, “The Shergar Cup is five rides in one afternoon and it is only just over three weeks away now. I owe it to the owners and the team to be as fit as I can, so I'm conscious I need to pull my finger out. I'll be looking for more rides. I'm really excited.”
She continued, “I've been riding out since April, but that's not particularly challenging, and so I've been going to the gym, doing weights, cycling, running and practising on the Equicizer at the Racing School. I've done as much as I can to get fit at home, but getting race-fit is a different matter and it will take a couple of races.”
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