Recent MBA graduate receives bursary to continue research into female jockey performance
Vanessa Cashmore, a recent graduate from the Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA, has received £2,000 from Women in Racing to further her studies on the performance of female jockeys within British racing.
As part of her MBA studies, Vanessa undertook unique research which revealed the performance of female jockeys is equal to their male counterparts. Using detailed analysis techniques on data covering a 14-year period, the study suggests that, once the quality of the horses they are riding is factored in, the performance of female jockeys is essentially no better or worse than male jockeys. This data shines a light on the fact that only 11.3% of professional jockey licences are held by female jockeys, and only 5.2% of available rides were taken by female jockeys during the period of the study.
The financial support from Women in Racing will allow Vanessa to continue her studies, alongside her role as Work Based Learning Manager at the Northern Racing College.
Further information about the nature and detail of the research Vanessa will undertake in the coming months will be provided by Women in Racing Chair, Julie Deadman, at the Aintree Grand Women’s Summit, run in partnership with Women in Racing, on Ladies’ Day of the Randox Health Aintree Grand National Festival, Friday 13th April.
Full details about the Aintree Grand Women’s Summit, including how to book tickets which start at £89, can be found on the Randox Health Grand National website.
Julie Deadman, WiR Chair, said: “Women in Racing is very proud of its unique bursary programme which has been running since 2011. Over the years the bursary has supported dozens of our members, allowing them to learn new skills and progress their careers within the sport. Vanessa’s research is starting to change thinking about the performance of female jockeys and we are delighted to support her so she can continue this valuable work. We look forward to providing further details at the Aintree Grand Women’s Summit next month.”
Vanessa Cashmore said: “I am grateful to the support of Women in Racing which will allow me to continue my research. The study has strongly indicated that female jockeys are every bit as good as their male counterparts, however with such a vast array of data available within the sport I am keen to further investigate race performances, which I am now in a position to do thanks to the support of Women in Racing.”
Neil Coster Director of Studies, MBA Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries at the University of Liverpool, said: “It is very pleasing to see ground-breaking research emerging from University of Liverpool MBA course and we look forward to continuing to support Vanessa’s work alongside the British Horseracing Authority and Women in Racing.”