Gay Kelleway

Born: 19, December 1963

Retired: 1995

Wins: 102

Gay, a trailblazer as a jockey, rode her first winner on the Flat at the age of 17 and won the Ladies Amateur Championship aged 18. Turning professional, she became Champion Professional Lady Rider for three consecutive years.

Gay was the first female jockey to ride in the Ascot Gold Cup and the first woman to ride a winner at Royal Ascot when she won the Queen Alexandra Stakes in 1987.

In addition to winners on home soil, Gay also rode winners in New Zealand. Upon her return to the UK she was granted a trainer’s licence. She continued to race-ride and rode in Arab Races for three years, including riding doubles at Newmarket, Exeter and Brighton before hanging her boots up in 1995. Since 1991 she has trained predominantly in Newmarket.  Gay enjoys being hands-on and rides out daily.