Valerie Greaves Explained

Valerie Greaves
Occupation:Jockey, trainer
Birth Place:Northallerton, England
Birth Date:1945
Death Date:2015
Children:2

Valerie Greaves (1945-2015), known as Val, was an English horsewoman. In May 1976 she became the first amateur woman to "beat professionals under Rules" at Hexham Racecourse.[1] [2] She was also the first woman to beat professional jockeys over jumps.[3] Her daughter, Alex Greaves became a professional jockey and was the first woman to race in the Epsom Derby, in 1996.[4]

Personal life

Valerie was born in Northallerton, England. She married farmer Ernest Greaves, who was a British Show Pony Society judge.[5] They had two children, including Alex, who went on to become a record-breaking flat racer.[6] Greaves' brother-in-law was jockey David Greaves, who won the Mackeson (now Paddy Power) Gold Cup in 1975.[7]

Career

Greaves was Barron's 'head lad'[8] at his stables in Maunby, Thirsk, Yorkshire, from the 1970s for nearly 40 years.[9]

On 14 February 1967, Greaves became the first woman to race against male professional jockeys, and the first to ride over hurdles, at Catterick Racecourse.[10] In May 1976, she became the first amateur woman to beat professional jockeys over jumps when she rode Silver Gal, trained by Barron, to win the Yarridge Novices Hurdle (Division Two) at Hexham Racecourse.[11] In the same race were professional jockeys including Paddy Broderick and Colin Tinkler. Prior to this, all wins by female jockeys in England had been against amateurs, in both flat and jumps. [12] (Three months after Greaves' win, Jenny Hembrow won on Jim Hardy at Newton Abbot Racecourse).[13] Greaves was still riding in 1987.[14]

In May 2004, the charity Racing Welfare paid tribute to Greaves by holding the "Val Greaves – a lifetime in racing – Maiden Stakes", run over one and half miles at York Racecourse. [15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. News: 1976-12-31 . Lincolnshire Standard and Boston Guardian . Woldsman . Go racing with Woldsman . 22 . Lincoln, UK .
  2. News: 1976-05-05 . Belfast News Letter . . Valerie 'rules' over men . 13 . Belfast, UK .
  3. Web site: Women in racing through time . . womeninracing.co.uk . 2024-09-05 . 2024-09-08.
  4. News: 1996-06-07 . Aberdeen Evening Express . . On the right track . 59 . Aberdeen, UK .
  5. News: 1993-08-10 . Hull Daily Mail . Jo Davison . No easy ride . 17 . Hull, UK .
  6. News: 1976-05-05 . Belfast News Letter . . Valerie 'rules' over men . 13 . Belfast, UK .
  7. Web site: Racing trailblazers: Alex Greaves . . horseracinghof.com . 2023-11-22 . 2024-09-11.
  8. News: 1976-04-13 . Bristol Evening Post . . Perth . 12 . Bristol, UK .
  9. October 2015 . . People obituaries . Owner & Breeder . London . Michael Harris . 18.
  10. Web site: Karen Wiltshire: The UK's first professional woman jockey to win on the flat . Allison Graham . eclipsemagazine.co.uk . 2022-05-07 . 2024-09-11.
  11. Web site: 'The worst thing was the ridicule' – how women fought to change racing forever . Lewis Porteous . racingpost.com . 2022-05-07 . 2024-09-11.
  12. News: 1976-05-05 . Belfast News Letter . . Valerie 'rules' over men . 13 . Belfast, UK .
  13. News: 1985-03-21 . Western Daily Press . . Jeffrey's big hope . 37 . Cardiff, UK .
  14. News: 1987-05-02 . Liverpool Daily Post . . Haydock . 28 . Liverpool, UK .
  15. Web site: Saluting racing's unsung heroes . . yorkpress.co.uk . 2004-05-27 . 2024-09-11.
  16. Web site: 15:50 York . . skysports.com . 28 May 2004 . 2024-09-08.