Lucy Horner
1976 - 2019
1976 - 2019
Born on March 25, 1976, amateur rider Lucy Horner had a military background, having served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. She became the first female rider to win Sandown Park’s historic Royal Artillery Gold Cup won riding Noyan to victory in 2000.
Born on March 25, 1976, amateur rider Lucy Horner had a military background, having served in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. She became the first female rider to win Sandown Park’s historic Royal Artillery Gold Cup won riding Noyan to victory in 2000.
She was successful both on the Flat and over jumps, riding a total of 28 winners under National Hunt rules and enjoyed further success in point-to-points and overseas. She represented the UK abroad, riding in Ireland in 2008 and in the USA, both independently in Kentucky and as part of the Fegentri series in 2010. Lucy also won in cross-country races at Le Touquet and Dieppe.
She was successful both on the Flat and over jumps, riding a total of 28 winners under National Hunt rules and enjoyed further success in point-to-points and overseas. She represented the UK abroad, riding in Ireland in 2008 and in the USA, both independently in Kentucky and as part of the Fegentri series in 2010. Lucy also won in cross-country races at Le Touquet and Dieppe.
She was women’s champion amateur jump jockey in the 2008/09 season with 11 winners, three of which were achieved on Chris Grant’s chaser Tom’s Toybox in races at Aintree, Perth and Kelso. She rode a good percentage of winners for Grant’s stable during her career.
She was women’s champion amateur jump jockey in the 2008/09 season with 11 winners, three of which were achieved on Chris Grant’s chaser Tom’s Toybox in races at Aintree, Perth and Kelso. She rode a good percentage of winners for Grant’s stable during her career.
In September 2009 she was airlifted to hospital following a five-horse pile-up at the first flight in the juvenile maiden hurdle at Sedgefield. She suffered facial injuries and a dislocated shoulder in a fall from the Grant-trained Ravati but escaped without serious injury. However, a scan revealed some damage to the eye.
In September 2009 she was airlifted to hospital following a five-horse pile-up at the first flight in the juvenile maiden hurdle at Sedgefield. She suffered facial injuries and a dislocated shoulder in a fall from the Grant-trained Ravati but escaped without serious injury. However, a scan revealed some damage to the eye.
After finishing fifth on Chris Grant-trained Dancing Dik in an Aintree handicap hurdle on November 22, 2009, she took a temporary break from riding to undergo treatment for the eye problem. She had caught chickenpox while in training in the army and temporarily lost the sight in her right eye.
After finishing fifth on Chris Grant-trained Dancing Dik in an Aintree handicap hurdle on November 22, 2009, she took a temporary break from riding to undergo treatment for the eye problem. She had caught chickenpox while in training in the army and temporarily lost the sight in her right eye.
She returned to race-riding but the eye problem persisted, becoming sufficiently serious to bring a premature end to her career in 2011.
She returned to race-riding but the eye problem persisted, becoming sufficiently serious to bring a premature end to her career in 2011.
Undaunted, Lucy began training point-to-pointers and hunter chasers, based at Worsall Grange Farm, Low Worsall, in North Yorkshire. She gained his biggest success when Tallow Fair, ridden by Sam Lee, won the prestigious Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters’ Chase at Hexham on May 6, 2017.
Undaunted, Lucy began training point-to-pointers and hunter chasers, based at Worsall Grange Farm, Low Worsall, in North Yorkshire. She gained his biggest success when Tallow Fair, ridden by Sam Lee, won the prestigious Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters’ Chase at Hexham on May 6, 2017.
Her last runner under National Hunt rules was Rock Me Zippo, who was pulled up in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase at Kelso on May 27, 2018.
Her last runner under National Hunt rules was Rock Me Zippo, who was pulled up in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase at Kelso on May 27, 2018.
Lucy Horner died at the tragically young age of 42 in July 2019. She was survived by her mother Jeanette and sister Sarah.
Lucy Horner died at the tragically young age of 42 in July 2019. She was survived by her mother Jeanette and sister Sarah.
Many tributes were paid to her. She was described as one of the “breakthrough” stars in the female weighing room under the National Hunt code.
Many tributes were paid to her. She was described as one of the “breakthrough” stars in the female weighing room under the National Hunt code.