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Karen Wiltshire created a piece of racing history when winning a one-mile 0-65 Salisbury handicap on The Goldstone on September 14, 1978. In so doing she became the first female professional jockey to win a race against men.
Karen Wiltshire created a piece of racing history when winning a one-mile 0-65 Salisbury handicap on The Goldstone on September 14, 1978. In so doing she became the first female professional jockey to win a race against men.
It was not until 1975 that women were allowed to race-ride professionally on the Flat. In the autumn of 1976, Karen contacted Bill Wightman, who trained a string of 60 horses on the South Downs, near her Hampshire home. Wightman offered her a job with the promise that he would give her race-rides if she proved herself.
It was not until 1975 that women were allowed to race-ride professionally on the Flat. In the autumn of 1976, Karen contacted Bill Wightman, who trained a string of 60 horses on the South Downs, near her Hampshire home. Wightman offered her a job with the promise that he would give her race-rides if she proved herself.
She had her first ride on Park Walk in a Newbury apprentices’ race on May 13, 1977, finishing eighth of the nine runners. Having demonstrated her ability, more opportunities soon followed.
She had her first ride on Park Walk in a Newbury apprentices’ race on May 13, 1977, finishing eighth of the nine runners. Having demonstrated her ability, more opportunities soon followed.
Her Salisbury win on The Godstone on September 14, 1978 went pretty much unheralded at the time, as under the terms of her apprentice agreement with Wightman, Karen was forbidden from speaking to the press.
Her Salisbury win on The Godstone on September 14, 1978 went pretty much unheralded at the time, as under the terms of her apprentice agreement with Wightman, Karen was forbidden from speaking to the press.
In 1979 Karen finished runner-up in a televised race at Epsom, beaten in a photo finish by Walter Swinburn, who was then an apprentice too. It was an eventful race in which she ended up in the stewards’ room, but kept her second placing.
In 1979 Karen finished runner-up in a televised race at Epsom, beaten in a photo finish by Walter Swinburn, who was then an apprentice too. It was an eventful race in which she ended up in the stewards’ room, but kept her second placing.
Two years later, Swinburn would partner Shergar to win the Derby. By then, Karen had departed for California which was considerably more welcoming to female jockeys, but she didn’t stay long. Wightman wanted her to continue to work for him beyond her three-year apprenticeship but instead she walked away from racing ,realising it was not financially viable for her as a career. In all, she had had 19 rides, that one precious victory, her close second at Epsom and three third places.
Two years later, Swinburn would partner Shergar to win the Derby. By then, Karen had departed for California which was considerably more welcoming to female jockeys, but she didn’t stay long. Wightman wanted her to continue to work for him beyond her three-year apprenticeship but instead she walked away from racing ,realising it was not financially viable for her as a career. In all, she had had 19 rides, that one precious victory, her close second at Epsom and three third places.
Today she is a fitness instructor and runs her own club in Havant, in the south-east corner of Hampshire. She also has a daughter named Lara.
Today she is a fitness instructor and runs her own club in Havant, in the south-east corner of Hampshire. She also has a daughter named Lara.
Karen Wiltshire registers her historic win on The Goldstone at Salisbury in 1978.
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