Leading the way for women... Trailblazer Ann Ferris the first female jockey to win the Irish National
SINCE international women’s day was this week and the Cheltenham Festival is coming up next week, this is an appropriate time to remember jockey Ann Ferris.
Undoubtedly a trailblazer in women’s sport, Ann, who coincidentally but very fittingly hailed from Jockey’s Brae Road just outside the little county Armagh hamlet of Jerrettspass, won the 1984 Irish Grand National on Bentom Boy.
Prejudice and sexism were hurdles in her way but, like the fences around the Fairyhouse track, she cleared them to become the first female winner of the blue riband race that was first run in 1870.
She didn’t just beat the rest of the field that day – she absolutely destroyed it.
With a massive leap over the second last on Bentom Boy, she burst clear of the chasing pack and ended up cantering past the post to win by 20 lengths.
But instead of cheering the winner and recognising that they’d been witnesses to something truly special, the fuddy-duddy punters stuck their hands deep in their pockets and it seems they went back to the bars grumbling that some Nordie woman had just gate-crashed the boys’ party.
RTE’s Michael O’Hehir seemed to be the only person at the track who identified the ground-breaking magnitude of what was happening.
“The silence is deafening here,” he lamented on commentary as Ann crossed the line.
O’Hehir continued: “I don’t think I’ve ever heard such silence as the horses passed the (winning) post. Bentom Boy, who was so well-ridden by Ann Ferris, drew away as they turned into the straight and the crowd scratched their heads and wondered what was happening.
“History is made… Ann Ferris, daughter of the winning-trainer Willie Rooney has become the first lady to ride the winner of the Irish Grand National.”
It was only seven years’ previously, in 1977, that the ban on women competing in National Hunt races had been lifted and Ann was one of the early female pioneers who forced their way into the male-dominated sport.
Like her mount Bentom Boy (named after his owners Newry businessmen Tom Reilly and Benny Dorrian) she took the victory very much in her stride.
“There isn’t an awful lot to tell about the Irish Grand National win,” said Ann, Ann, who passed away last year, in an interview.
“I don’t even know how many horses were in the race but everything went well and we won quite easily. I can’t think of anything more about it.”
Her father Willie Rooney – a noted jockey himself in his day - had trained the horse but there was no favouritism at play. Ann earned the right to ride Bentom Boy over years of thrills and occasional spills during an apprenticeship on the point-to-point circuit. She was All-Ireland point-to-point champion and as well as the Irish Grand National her career highlights included winning the Ulster Harp National twice and the Irish Sweeps Hurdle.
“I’ve had a good few falls and a few injuries,” she said.
“A broken collar-bone, a few broken ribs, ankles, shoulders and a few bangs on the head, otherwise nothing too serious. That’s just part of the sport...”
It took more than a quarter-of-a-century for another woman to equal Ann’s feat and there have been only two more female winners of the Irish National.
Nina Carberry piloted Organisedconfusion to victory in 2011 and Katie Walsh won the National on Thunder and Roses four years’ later.
It’s interesting to reflect on how attitudes had changed by the time Walsh passed the post in 2015. As she jumped the last and kicked for home the scenes were a total contrast to those 31 years’ previously.
“What a lady rider she is,” roared the delighted commentator.
“Katie Walsh and Thunder and Roses… It’s ladies’ day at the Grand National!”
Walsh’s father Ted had ridden against Ann Ferris on many occasions.
“She was the first woman to break into a male-dominated sport in my day,” said the former jockey, now a popular and knowledgeable TV commentator.
“She was a tough competitor, fair but tough, and she wouldn’t give an inch. I rode against her for quite a time and she could hold her own with anyone.”
Nowadays Rachael Blackmore has carried the baton for Irish women in racing right to the summit of the sport.
Like Ann Ferris, the Tipperary native proved her worth on the point-to-point circuit and in 2021 on Minella Times she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the 182-year history of the race.
That was the start of a momentous year as Rachael became the first woman to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival with six victories, including the Champion Hurdle. Last year she was the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup A Plus Tard.
She’ll be under starter’s orders on A Plus Tard again next Friday and if you’re lucky enough to make a few quid on it or one of her other mounts next week, raise a glass to Ann Ferris, the woman who started it all, when you’re counting your winnings.
THERE was a new face in the stands at The Athletic Grounds last Saturday night to watch Armagh win a nip-and-tuck tussle with Donegal.
Portadown native Keelan Leeper, who describes himself as a ‘British and Irish Unionist’ on his Twitter bio, went along to cheer on his county to a three-point win that leaves Armagh on the verge of safety in a very competitive division that could well go down to the final round of matches.
“(I’ve) been a long time follower but first time visitor,” posted Keelan on social media after the game.
“Great evening down at the Athletic Grounds for Armagh vs Donegal, glad to finally make it down.”
Keelan got a picture with the newly-elected new GAA President Jarlath Burns who received a hero’s welcome at half-time but he had to take a bit of stick for his post.
“You’re NOT a Unionist if you give credence to the GAA,” claimed one critic.
There are echoes in that mindset of the GAA’s ban on foreign sports which prevented nationalist people from pursuing whatever past-times they wanted to enjoy. Thankfully ‘the ban’ is long gone now.
Life is complicated here but sport is sport and Keelan was as welcome as anyone else at the Athletic Grounds. I hope he comes back and brings his friends along next time.
It’s only by being brave enough to cross the line that we’ll break down the barriers that divide our society.
