Charlotte Jones, one of Britain's most successful female jump jockeys, has retired from the saddle after riding her 38th Cartmel winner on Wednesday night. The 31-year-old from Barrow-in-Furness made the decision following victory on Zumbi, trained by Jimmy Moffatt, in the final race of Cartmel's three-day May fixture.
A Career of Milestones
Jones was one of only four currently licensed female jockeys to have ridden out their claim, alongside Lilly Pinchin, Isabel Williams, and Tabitha Worsley. Of her career total of 86 wins, 85 were trained by Jimmy Moffatt, a Cheltenham Festival winner as both a jockey and a trainer. Zumbi's victory was his first over fences.
Jones joined Moffatt after obtaining a bachelor of science degree, riding her first winner in 2016. Reflecting on her decision, she told Mirror Racing: "Jimmy was shocked but he's pleased. It's a bit of an end of an era I suppose."
Injury and Retirement
Jones had been planning to ride until the end of the summer but struggled with a back injury since before Christmas. "I told myself if I rode a winner on the last day I might call it quits. So that was that," she said. "I was off for five weeks with two bulging discs in my back, affecting me in the saddle and pushing on the nerve. I had an injection and the rehab took a long time. Since I came back it's been bothering me again. If I was walking like I was at 31, I was dreading what I would be walking like at 60."
Future Plans as a Trainer
Jones will retire to the farm she owns in Leyland, Lancashire, with her partner, retired rugby player Sam Bedlow. A pre-training yard is already open for business, and she has longer-term plans to train. "I am working towards completing my trainers' modules," she added. "I have the last one next month and hopefully I could get my licence towards the end of the year. I am also hoping to get involved with the work rider coaching programme."
Proud Career
Jones expressed pride in her achievements: "I am very proud of my career as a jockey. There is only me, Lilly Pinchin, Isabel Williams and Tabitha Worsley who have ridden out our claim. I am the only northern one who is fully professional, especially having not come from a racing background. I rode a Boxing Day double at Aintree, that was a highlight. I've been leading rider around Cartmel three times, the first conditional and female to do that. I've ridden three or four trebles and had a ride at the Cheltenham Festival. In total I am chuffed with my career as a jockey and hope it bodes well for my training career."
