Alex Greaves Explained

Alex Greaves
Occupation:Jockey, trainer
Birth Place:Northallerton, England
Birth Date:12 April 1968
Career Wins:287
Race:Major races
Nunthorpe Stakes (1997 (dh))
Awards:Ladies Professional Championship Trophy (1990, 1991)
Horses:Ya Malak
Height:5' 1"[1]
Weight:8st 4lb[2]
Spouse:David 'Dandy' Nicholls (m. 1994)
Children:3

Alex Greaves (born 12 April 1968) is a British former professional flat jockey. In 1996 she was the first woman to ride in the Epsom Dash in Epsom Derby's 216-year history on filly Portuguese Lil.[3] [4] She was the first woman to ride in the 1000 Guineas Stakes also on Portuguese Lil[5] [6] and in 1997 became the first woman to ride a Group 1 winner at the Nunthorpe Stakes on Ya Malak.[7] [8] She won the Female Jockey of the Year five times.[9]

Personal life

Alex Ann Greaves was born in 1968. Her mother, Valerie Greaves, was the first woman to "ride in a race under rules", and the first professional woman to beat professional jockeys over jumps.[10] Her father, Ernest Greaves, was a farmer[11] and a British Show Pony Society judge.[12] Her uncle, David Greaves, was a professional rider, winning the Mackeson (now Paddy Power) Gold Cup in 1975.[13]

Greaves started riding aged four. She subsequently joined the Pony Club and moved through the gymkhana circuit, showjumping and hunter trials.[14] She began to ride out on the gallops when she was 13. Before her racing career, Greaves was working in hotel management,[15] after earning a diploma in hotel and management studies from Leeds Polytechnic.[16]

In 1991 she was engaged to fellow jockey apprentice, Gary Hind,[17] but married trainer, David 'Dandy' Nicholls (1956-2017) in April 1994, at Northallerton.[18] They had three children.[19]

Career

Apprenticeship with David Barron

In 1989 Greaves joined David Barron's stables in Maunby, Thirsk, Yorkshire as an apprentice, where her mother was Barron's 'head lad'. In 1989 she set "some kind of record" by being the first apprentice to have her "claim reduced from 7lb to 5lb without riding a winner on turf".[20] Greaves turned professional in 1989.[21] Her first win was on Andrew's First at Southwell Racecourse's all-weather Fibresand track, on 1 December 1989. After Greaves' performance, Barron was quoted in the Sports Argus, saying, "She is by far the best apprentice I've ever had. She's cool and confident and nothing seems to bother her."In her first year she rode 41 winners, including 17 on the turf, which earned her the 1990 Ladies Professional Championship Trophy. Her statistics in her first year – 16 wins from 28 races – gave her a 57% win rate, higher than Lester Piggott or Willie Shoemaker at the same point in their racing careers. In February 1990, Greaves said, "As soon as I took up all-weather racing, everything changed. I loved it from day one and have enjoyed an unbelievably lucky run."[22] In 1990 she became the first female flat jockey to ride out her claim.[23] [24] In April 1992 Greaves appeared on the BBC's A Question of Sport.[25] She and Barron "parted company" in May 1993. No official reason was given, but it coincided with Greaves' engagement to former jockey, David "Dandy" Nicholls, who she had met at Barron's stables.[26]

Riding for David Nicholls

After retiring from racing, Nicholls became a trainer, and Greaves raced for him.In 1995, on discussing the challenges of being a female jockey, Greaves said, "If a male jockey rode the winners that I did as an apprentice, he would be almost guaranteed a future as a jockey. But a girl is not – many owners and trainers consider us weaker."[27] In 1996 Greaves was the first woman to ride in the Epsom Derby, on filly Portuguese Lil, with odds of 500-1. Of her chances in the race, she said, "It's not as if there's going to be any pressure on me as the horse does not have a great chance." Portuguese Lil came in last.[28] [29] In 1997, she became the first woman to ride a Group One winner, Ya Malak, in a photo-finish at the Nunthorpe Stakes.[30] In an interview with the Sunday Times, Greaves said "We [female jockeys] are regarded as novelties... And there is an awful lot of hypocrisy, too. Trainers will come up and tell you you rode a brilliant race, but they'd never dream of putting you on their horses."[31]

Overseas

Greaves rode in southern Africa,[32] including at the 1992 British Airways Concorde Cup to mark Harare track's centenary, where she won on Ace of Aces.[33] She also raced in Japan, Hong Kong,[34] France, Ireland,[35] Dubai[36] and Barbados.

Select highlights

Greaves partnered Zuhair in three of four successive wins at Goodwood's Charlton Stakes.

Awards and honours

She also won a Likely Lad award[55]

Monikers

Of the various monikers ascribed to her, including "Queen of All-Weather Racing",[56] "Queen of the Sands" and "Queen of Southwell",[57] Greaves said, "I've never wanted to be considered a lady rider, or ever asked for any favours. I've always just been another jockey." In 1991, after winning the Lincoln Handicap, she hoped that "her performance to beat 24 male rivals should finally bury that condescending title "Queen of Southwell",[58] but acknowledged that even after this victory some would still use "that silly nickname", adding "I don't know what I have to do to lose it."[59]

Retirement

Greaves retired from racing in 2005, after riding 287 winners. Of her retirement she said, "As a girl in this game you have to work twice as hard to prove yourself, and after 15 years of pushing hard I know it's the right choice." Greaves also struggled with her weight, saying "I rode nine lots of work the other day in a sweatsuit, then got on the treadmill, had a swim and lost only half a pound."[60] After retiring, Greaves worked alongside Nicholls in their training establishment in Sessay, Thirsk.[61] As of 2023 she continues to ride out every day at Tim Easterby's Great Habton stables.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lovesey, John . 1994 . Ready to Ride: Winning Fitness . Sporting Types . London, UK . 14 . 0952401002 .
  2. News: 1996-06-08 . The Times . Alex Greaves . Epsom's first lady comes under orders . 42 . London, UK .
  3. News: 1996-06-07 . Aberdeen Evening Express . . On the right track . 59 . Aberdeen, UK .
  4. News: 1996-06-06 . The Scotsman . Anna Burnside . Jockeying for position . 17 . Edinburgh, UK .
  5. Web site: Groundbreaking jockey Alex weighs up her future in the saddle . . thenorthernecho.co.uk . 2005-03-31 . 2024-09-08.
  6. Web site: 15:45 Newmarket . . skysports.com . 2024-09-08.
  7. News: 1999-03-18 . Country Life . . Alex Greaves, Professional Flat Jockey . 67 . London, UK .
  8. Web site: The race that had it all . Andrew Dietz . racingpost.com . 2018-08-18 . 2024-09-08.
  9. Book: Sharpe, Graham . 2009 . Racing's greatest characters . JR Books . London, UK . 169 . 9781906779146.
  10. Web site: Women in racing through time . . womeninracing.co.uk . 2024-09-05 . 2024-09-08.
  11. News: 1990-02-14 . Daily Record . Gary Own . Smart Alex! . 39 . London, UK .
  12. News: 1993-08-10 . Hull Daily Mail . Jo Davison . No easy ride . 17 . Hull, UK .
  13. Web site: Racing trailblazers: Alex Greaves . . horseracinghof.com . 2023-11-22 . 2024-09-11.
  14. News: 1996-06-06 . The Scotsman . Anna Burnside . Jockeying for position . 17 . Edinburgh, UK .
  15. News: 1990-12-13 . Liverpool Echo . . Alex collects champion trophy . 61 . Liverpool, UK .
  16. News: 1992-07-04 . Manchester Evening News . Ian Clark . Women in the saddle . 75 . Manchester, UK .
  17. News: 1991-04-13 . Aberdeen Press and Journal . . Gary's love match . 29 . Aberdeen, UK .
  18. News: 1994-04-21 . Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail . . Wedding bells . 34 . Hartlepool, UK .
  19. News: 1996-06-08 . Belfast Newsletter . . Cecil dreams of a classic double . 25 . Belfast, UK .
  20. News: 1990-01-27 . Sport Argus . Bob Bissaker . Report trophy . 6 . London, UK .
  21. News: 1990-01-17 . Belfast News-Letter . Julie Harris . Ice cool Alex at the double . 24 . Belfast, UK .
  22. News: 1990-02-02 . Reading Evening Post . Julian Armfield . All-weather racing is now a real washout . 51 . Reading, UK .
  23. News: 1990-06-01 . The Daily Telegraph . . Yesterday's racing result . 33 . London, UK .
  24. Book: Magee, Sean . 1991 . Daily Telegraph Flat Racing Year . Headline Book Publishing . London, UK . 29 . 9780747204855.
  25. News: 1992-04-07 . Derry Journal . . 5:00 A question of sport . 49 . Derry, UK .
  26. News: 1993-05-10 . Aberdeen Press and Journal . . Greaves splits with Barron . 19 . Aberdeen, UK .
  27. News: 1995-07-25. West Lancashire Evening Gazette . Steve Simpson . Whipping up a Ladies' chance . 14 . Lancaster, UK .
  28. News: 1996-05-20 . Halifax Evening Courier . Jon Lees . Greaves feels no pressure . 15 . Halifax, UK .
  29. News: 1996-05-21 . Shields Daily Gazette . . Portuguese Lil's Derby Warm Up . 32 . Shields, UK .
  30. News: 1997-08-22 . Belfast News-Letter . Jon Lees . Greeves scores big first . 42 . Belfast, UK .
  31. Book: Tanner, Michael . 1992 . The Guinness Book of Great Jockeys on the Flat: A Celebration of Two Centuries of Jockeyship . Guinness . Enfield, UK . 239 . 0851129897.
  32. News: 1992-12-11 . Gloucester Citizen . . Alex back in business . 53 . Gloucester, UK .
  33. News: 1992-11-23 . Gloucester Citizen . . Golden girl takes overseas honours . 29 . Gloucester, UK .
  34. Web site: Greaves to keep flying Red flag . . cmp.com . 1997-11-14 . 2024-09-08.
  35. Web site: Greaves times it right . Brian O'Connor . irishtimes.com . 1999-06-08 . 2024-09-08.
  36. News: 2000-06-06 . Irish Independent . . Rudi's pet runs rivals ragged . 18 . Dublin, Ireland .
  37. News: 1990-01-17 . Nottingham Evening Post . . Super Alex top . 33 . Nottingham, UK .
  38. News: 1990-12-31 . Staffordshire Sentinel . . Alex hits 50 mark . 34 . Stafford, UK .
  39. News: 1990-01-31 . The Guardian . Chris Hawkins . Mrs Pitman blasts stewards . 17 . Manchester, UK .
  40. News: 1991-03-27 . Lincolnshire Echo . . Old Lincoln sparkle not quite there . 26 . Lincoln, UK .
  41. News: 1991-05-11 . Hull Daily Mail . . Alex back with Beverley double . 29 . Hull, UK .
  42. News: 1991-03-27 . Belfast News-Letter . . Alex has the solution . 24 . Belfast, UK .
  43. News: 1992-11-26 . The Daily Telegraph . J A McGrath . Alex the African queen . 32 . London, UK .
  44. Web site: Racing: Greaves in a feminine conquest . Richard Edmondson . independent.co.uk . 1997-08-21 . 2024-09-08.
  45. Book: Tanner, Michael . 1992 . The Guinness Book of Great Jockeys on the Flat: A Celebration of Two Centuries of Jockeyship . Guinness . Enfield, UK . 238 . 0851129897.
  46. News: 1991-03-19 . Nottingham Evening Post . . Alex wins her spurs . 27 . Nottingham, UK .
  47. News: 1991-03-25 . Reading Evening Post . . Greaves goes out to grass . 14 . Reading, UK .
  48. News: 1991-12-21 . The Scotsman . . Just champion . 24 . Edinburgh, UK .
  49. Book: Sharpe, Graham . 1996 . Odds, sods and racing certs . Robson . London . 47 . 9781861050571.
  50. News: 1998-03-23 . West Lancashire Evening Gazette . . Winner . 21 . Lancaster, UK .
  51. News: 2016-05-19 . Epsom Guardian . . The Investec Derby Festival . 53 . Epsom, UK .
  52. Web site: Unveiling the Derby Hall of Fame – Epsom Market Place . . epsom-ewell.gov.uk . 2022-06-01 . 2024-09-08.
  53. Web site: Hollie Doyle's path to success . Ricard Byram . yorkshirepost.co.uk . 2023-04-01 . 2024-09-08.
  54. Web site: Racing's most influential female jockeys and trainers . . thejockeyclub.co.uk . 2024-09-08.
  55. News: 1993-07-24 . Newcastle Journal . . Pears shapes up for Likely Lad award . 63 . Newcastle, UK .
  56. News: 1990-11-08 . Daily Mirror . . Results . 55 . London, UK .
  57. News: 1997-08-22 . The Independent . Greg Wood . Jockey beats a chauvinist handicap . 1 . London,UK .
  58. News: 1991-03-24 . Birmingham Weekly Mercury . . Alex is so Amenable . 74 . Birmingham, UK .
  59. News: 1991-03-24 . Grimsby Daily Telegraph . . Alex's abdication . 30 . Grimsby, UK .
  60. Web site: Greaves decides to quit racing . . bbc.co.uk . 2005-03-30 . 2024-09-08.
  61. Web site: Irish-bred Sovereign Debt collects feature . . gulf-times.com . 2017-02-24 . 2024-09-08.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Alex Greaves".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.