Jockey Lizzie Kelly makes racing history: first woman to win a Grade One jumps race in Britain
Lizzie Kelly in her mother's racing colours - at Newbury earlier in 2015Conditional jockey Lizzie Kelly, who works full-time for trainer Neil King at his Burderop yard near Barbury Castle, made racing history on Saturday (December 26) becoming the first woman jockey to win a British Grade One jumps race.
She brought Tea for Two home to win the three mile Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton by four lengths. The six year-old bay gelding is trained by her step-father Nick Williams and owned by her mother Jane Williams with Len Jakeman.
Kelly, who is 22 years-old, has been riding Tea for Tea in races since April 2013 - a total of fourteen outings. Her first race on Tea for Two was a National Hunt Flat Race at Wincanton which she won by one-and-a-half lengths.
After the race she told Channel 4 Racing "I'm delighted to do it on this horse. He showed what he is worth today." Channel 4 Racing's Gina Harding tweeted: "What a treat to interview Lizzie Kelly making history as the 1st Lady jockey to win a Grade 1 over jumps. What an achievement." To which Lizzie Kelly replied: "Thank you!"
Recently retired jockey Hayley Turner tweeted: "Wow...no steering job. Take a bow." Lizzie Kelly's mother stressed that Tea for Two is no easy ride and commentators praised the race Kelly rode.
The pair had won in great style at Exeter over two miles and three furlongs earlier in the month - Tea for Two's chase debut.
The appearance of Tea for Two in Saturday's prestigious race had been planned for a long time - and Lizzie Kelly said she has warned her boss (Neil King) long ago that she could not ride any of his Boxing Day entries.
Kelly told Channel 4 Racing that she could not go out celebrating on Saturday night as she would be back at Kempton on Sunday with two rides. But what are the odds of the pair returning to Kempton next year for the King George VI chase?
Lizzie Kelly leads out Golden Thread at Neil King's Open Day last September