Britain’s most successful female jockey Hayley Turner will make a full-time return during the European winter to take advantage of the allowance for women riders in France.
Turner retired from the saddle in 2015, but she has since made fleeting comebacks and now intends to take advantage of the 4.4lb (2kg) female jockeys’ allowance in all races across the Channel
The 34-year-old will make the move to France once her role as analyst for ITV Racing finishes at the end of the domestic Flat season and said the lure of the allowance was a defining factor.
Turner has been recruited as a freelance jockey by leading French agent Herve Naggar, but she will work for Francis Graffard in the mornings and will also receive plenty of rides from the Chantilly trainer.
“I retired over here because I’d had enough of the travelling and the prize-money is not all that good, particularly in the winter,” Turner said on ITV.
“If I can claim 4.4lb off some lads who probably haven’t had as many winners as me, it’s a no-brainer.”
Graffard said he was looking forward to having Turner in his stable.
“I’m delighted Hayley is coming to France,” he told Press Association Sport.
“One morning a few months ago she came to Chantilly to see some friends. She rode out for me and we had a discussion about her coming over in the winter.
“It’s very good news and we hope she will enjoy her time in Chantilly.
“I plan to give her many rides and many opportunities.”
