A piece published on the website of Justice for Men & Boys (and the women who love them), the political party of which I’m the chairman, in February 2017:

Our thanks to Jeff for this. Extracts from the piece:

Governing body France Galop will allow 2kg (4.4lbs) less in the saddle to encourage use of female riders.

Group One-winning jockey Hayley Turner wants “more subtle” help, adding: “It seems a bit unfair on the lads.”

The British Horseracing Authority noted the move “with great interest” but has “currently no plans” to do the same.

Jean-Pierre Colombu, vice president of France Galop, said the rule change provided a “real opportunity” for female riders…

Jump jockey Lucy Alexander, the first female to become champion conditional in 2012-13, said she would “welcome” the change, adding: “The BHA should look at it.”

Rather than messing around with the weights, why don’t the French simply have the female jockeys start races two lengths ahead of the male jockeys? Possibly because the advantage would then become obvious and therefore unjustifiable?

We need more female jockeys winning races like we need more white sprinters winning Olympic sprint events. Maybe the black sprinters should wear belts with 5 kilos of weights in them, in the interest of equality?

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