Grand National: Katie Walsh says female jockey can win at Aintree

Racing is one of the few sports where elite men and women compete against each other.

“It’s fantastic that women can take on the men at the same level,” said Walsh, an ambassador for Aintree, which is holding a Grand Women’s Summit on Ladies’ Day, 10 April, to bring females from the sport together.

“I can go down to the start and ride with the likes of Ruby, Tony McCoy and take them on. There’s no other sport that does that really, I don’t think.

“There are a lot of women involved in the sport and in the business from the media side to making the National happen on the day, the vets, stewards, doctors.”

But are they as good?

“I think I’m good value at my weight at 9st 10lb, which is a nice low riding weight.

“I’m no Ruby Walsh or Tony McCoy, Barry Geraghty or Paul Carberry, Davy Russell or Richard Johnson or Jason Maguire. I know I’m not, I’m not unrealistic.

“I’m not physically as strong, but I knew Seabass better than anybody. On that day for the job to be done, I was well capable of doing it. I don’t think if anyone else had ridden him that day, he would have finished any closer.”