Hayley Turner: the pioneering female jockey retires and announces pregnancy

The pioneering imagination Hayley Turner has announced his immediate retreat from racing and who expects his first child in October.

Turner, 43, calls time in his career 25 years after his first lap in Southwell in March 2000.

In 2011, Turner became the first female jockey riding a winner of the One group in Great Britain, leading Dream in advance to the victory in the July Cup in Newmarket, before winning on Margot in the Nunthorpe Stakes in York a month later.

On Wednesday, Turner ridden Spirit of Jura at the victory in Southwell in his final race, his 1,042th career victory.

Turner said: “I decided to retire from being a jockey following my winner in Southwell last week, especially because I did my first tour of the racecourse on March 27, 2000.

“I am very excited to announce that I am experiencing a child in October, all right, that I have planned in the last two years. My family and I are all very excited.

“I would like to thank all those who have supported me over the years, in particular Michael Bell, David Simcock, Andrew Balding and Harry Eustace. I would also like to thank my driving agent, Guy Jewel, who was my agent for most of my career.

“I can’t wait for my next life chapter to come, but I will focus on the child in the short term.”

Turner retired for the first time in 2015, before returning to action in 2018.