The Wine Blokes

Meriel Tufnell was one of England’s first female race jockeys -participating in the first British races sanctioned for women in 1972. She was victorious in her first race at Kempton Park in the Goya Stakes. She was photographed that day, smiling and mud-spattered, clutching a bouquet and a cup of champagne.

At the age of twenty-three she entered racing history as the first winner of an official race for women jockeys, an event that had taken place only after fierce controversy and debate in racing circles and beyond.

Tufnell also secured the first jockey championship for women, helped to found the Lady Jockeys’ Association of Great Britain in 1972, was runner-up to the ladies’ champion in 1973, and rode in the first race for male and female jockeys at Nottingham in 1974. That year she also became European champion woman jockey, after competitions in Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, and Austria.

She retired from racing in 1975 and was appointed MBE the following year for services to the sport.

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