ONE of the UK’s top female jockeys, who hails from Barrow, has announced her retirement from the sport after a final triumphant race win.
Charlotte Jones, 31, has announced that her win on Wednesday (May 27) at Cartmel, whilst riding Zumbi, will be her last ever ride in her professional career.
Jones told the Racing Post that she wanted to bow out before becoming a ‘has-been’ and said that walking away from the saddle now felt like ‘the right time’.
The Barrovian has 86 career victories to her name, with 85 of them coming on horses trained by Jimmy Moffatt at his Cartmel yard.
Speaking to the Racing Post about her retirement, she said: “It felt fitting to be at Cartmel.
“I had my first ride, my first winner, my first ride over fences, and I rode out my claim there.”
Jones did not begin her professional riding career until her 20s, after she completed work experience at Moffatt’s Cartmel yard.
The equine science graduate won her first race in 2017 at Cartmel whilst riding Lough Kent.
She had many career highlights, which included multiple wins at Cartmel, appearances at the Cheltenham Festival and a Boxing Day double at Aintree.
Taking to social media, Jones said: “It’s been a crazy 10 years, and I’m honoured to have been involved and ridden the lovely horses I have.”
She also thanked her family, friends, all the owners she has worked with, her agent, coach, sponsor, and most of all Jimmy Moffatt.
Jones added: “Thanks for all the opportunities and seeing the potential in me many moons ago as a young rider coming into the yard. I wish you all the best for the upcoming seasons.”
Geraldine McKay, director of racing at Cartmel Racecourse, said: "Charlotte has been an absolutely tremendous ambassador not just for Cartmel Racecourse, but for Barrow, Cumbria and for women in elite sport.
“She came into racing without a family background in the industry and built a hugely successful career through sheer hard work, determination and talent. That makes her story all the more inspiring."
Jones has said her turning 30 was quite the ‘eye opener’ and a ‘turning point’ in her career, ultimately influencing her decision to think about walking away from the saddle.
She said she has also been struggling with a back injury of late, which, although it has not stopped her riding, has left her pondering the toll being a professional jockey takes on the body.
Talking to the Racing Post, trainer Jimmy Moffatt paid tribute to Jones: “She was a local girl, born in Barrow, with no background in racing and it shows what people can do.
“She's gone out on a winner, and you have to take your hat off to her. It's the end of an era for our yard.”
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