Hayley Turner is looking forward to a stellar year in the saddle after riding her first winner following a seven-week injury absence.
The legendary female jockey toasted her 39th birthday on January 3 and made a winning start to 2022 when steering the David Simcock-trained Race Card to victory in a Wolverhampton handicap on Wednesday.
She said: "I broke my thumb which sidelined me for seven weeks, so it was nice to get back with a winner.
"It was a bit frustrating. I'd pulled up on one of David Simcock's horses after the line and he just fell over. It was just one of those unlucky things.
Easy! The lightly-raced Race Card cruises to victory under @Hayleyturner123 to take the finale at @WolvesRaces for @SimcockRacing... pic.twitter.com/NPip6k8wuu
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 5, 2022
"But it was nice to have a good break and I'm happy to be riding again now. It was good to ride a winner and get off the mark."
Turner, based in Newmarket, was the first woman to ride 100 winners in a calendar year and has ambitions in sunnier climbs as she goes to the International Jockeys Challenge at the Saudi Cup at the end of February.
"I like these jockeys' challenges, and riding at the Saudi Cup meeting will be a great experience.
"I don't really make massive plans - I just try to ride as many winners as I can, really. I feel I have plenty of support from some good trainers and am looking forward to the rest of the all-weather season and the new Flat season."
