Carrie Ford
Carrie Ford had herself made history when fifth in the feature event at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting in 2005. To complete the Grand National is a feat in itself and, at the age of 33, Carrie Ford became the third woman rider to get around in the John Smith’s Grand National. She equalled the highest-placed finish by a female rider, achieved by Rosemary Henderson on Fiddlers Pike in 1994, after turning professional just before the race. Trained by her husband Richard Ford, Forest Gunner was attempting to follow up his two victories in 2004 at Aintree, including the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (ridden by Peter Buchanan).
Valerie Alder
Valerie Alder, riding Bush Guide trained by her father John, fell at the Canal Turn on the first circuit of the 1984 Grand National.
Gee Armytage
One of the best female riders of her generation, Gee had been victorious twice at the Cheltenham Festival before partnering the aptly named Gee-A in the 1988 Grand National. Gee-A was still going well on the second circuit before the gelding tired on the soft ground and was pulled up before the 26th fence.
Charlotte Brew
The 1977 Grand National was won most memorably by Red Rum. The Ginger McCain-trained gelding swept past the grandstands amid scenes of tremendous emotion to gain his record-breaking third win. But there was also another focus, as Charlotte Brew, at
the age of 21, became the first woman to compete in the Aintree spectacular. Partnering her own horse, 12-year-old Barony Fort, on whom she had managed one circuit of the course in the 1976 Fox Hunters’ Chase, Brew’s effort was a determined one. Despite being tailed off after half way, her 200/1-chance kept going until he refused four fences from home. While the media applauded the performance, McCain announced in forthright fashion that the Grand National was no place for lady riders, a view the now-retired handler still holds.
Joy Carrier
Geraldine Rees was not the only woman to take part in 1983. The American Joy Carrier managed to clear five fences before being unseated by King Spruce, owned by her husband.
Tarnya Davis
A talented professional jockey, Tarnya Davis reached Becher’s on the second circuit before pulling up Numerate in the 1989 renewal. She is now married to trainer Oliver Sherwood.
Penny Ffitch-Heyes
Purchased by her father on the eve of the race, Hettinger fell at the first fence for Penny Ffi tch-Heyes in 1988.
Jenny Hembrow
Jenny Hembrow’s attempt in 1979 to land a blow for female jockeys failed, as she exited the race at the first fence on Sandwilan, the 11-year-old bottom weight. Unperturbed by this experience, Hembrow rode the same horse again the following year and did better. Having been prominent early on, the 100/1 chance was pulled up at the 19th fence.
Rosemary Henderson
Rosemary Henderson, at the age of 51, finished fifth on her own Fiddlers Pike in 1994. She became the highest-placed female rider in the Grand National as well as only the second to complete the course. She now lives in New Zealand and has written a book
about her experiences.
Jacqui Oliver
Another jockey to ride for her parents, Jacqui Oliver was in contention aboard Eamons Owen, trained by her mother Sally, before being unseated at the chair.
Geraldine Rees
On the fifth attempt by a female jockey, Geraldine Rees completed the course in eighth and last place on Cheers in 1982, thus becoming the first woman to successfully get round. However, in the following year, riding Midday Welcome, she fell at the first fence. She now trains near Preston in Lancashire.
Linda Sheedy
In 1981, when Bob Champion overcame cancer to win the Grand National on Aldaniti, mother of twins Linda Sheedy rode Deiopea (100/1) who refused at the 19th fence when well behind.
Venetia Williams
Venetia Williams, now a successful trainer, tried her luck in 1988 but got no further than the sixth fence, Becher’s, on Marcolo. She was knocked unconscious in the fall. She broke her neck in a fall at Worcester two weeks later which ended her career as an amateur rider.
