BECKY SMITH AWARDED QUEEN MOTHER’S CUP
24-06-2025
Our historic and most valuable ladies race was held recently at York, namely the Queen Mother’s Cup whereby tradition dictates that the winning lady jockey receives her weight in champagne. Always keenly anticipated with a rich history of notable winning jockeys, nobody could have predicted the drama that was to unfold.
Megan Jordan, our 2024 Lady Champion Runner-Up, nearly came off My Dream World when he became unbalanced early in the race trying to jump the road, causing her to not only lose an iron but also her stick which she managed to catch mid-air. The partnership remained intact despite this incident, regained their momentum and ultimately passing the widely strung out field to win by a head, denying Becky Smith aboard Chillingham with Serena Brotherton a further length and a half away third on Heathen.
Following interviews and the traditional weighing of champagne, Megan’s dream was to turn to a nightmare when she learned that it appeared she used her stick ten times in the run-in, with current rules dictating that any strike of four or more over the permitted level results in disqualification. This was therefore automatically referred to the BHA whip review committee 72 hours later (as BHA rules dictate) and as a consequence Becky Smith was awarded the race.
It is so disappointing for all concerned, both winning and losing connections. Whilst Megan had her biggest victory to date taken from her, Becky and her owners and trainer missed out on celebrations of a race she has wanted to win for many years. In her own words Becky said “I don’t really think there is a winner at the end of it all. They said they are going to send the champagne to me but it’s a bit too little too late. I’ll let the dust settle for a bit, but I’m going to speak to Megan and see if she’d like to share it. I didn’t weigh in for it and it feels a little bit wrong if we don’t. I wasn’t first past the post. I don’t think either of us will be using the champagne to celebrate. The best thing is to share it and have another crack next year.”
Many congratulations to Becky on her victory, albeit such an unusual one, with her name now added to the illustrious list of winning jockeys. This incident illustrates the many and various challenges faced on a regular basis by amateur jockeys who do not have the benefit of daily race riding opportunities like their professional counterparts, and with amateur races programmed sporadically across the calendar and restricted to one per card. It is a cautionary tale for all. We can only be thankful that Megan, who has never had a whip offence before, managed to stay aboard her horse and avoided possible serious injury.