The Silk Series, a pioneering series of races for female jockeys, launches for 2018 on Saturday 2 June at Musselburgh Racecourse.
Over £150,000 in prize money will be available in the thirteen race series, which will take place across nine Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) Ladies’ Days this summer as well as Musselburgh, Hamilton Park, Goodwood and York, for the first time.
Official betting partners, bet365, have installed 2017 Silk Series winner, Megan Nicholls, as ante post favourite to retain The Tufnell Trophy at 3/1, with Josephine Gordon and Nicola Currie joint second favourites at 6/1. Following her return to regular race riding, including a fantastic recent win on Rip Orff in Ascot’s Victoria Cup, bet365 price Hayley Turner at 8/1 to take the overall title.
‘We’re delighted to be the official betting partners of The Silk Series and have made Megan Nicholls our 3/1 favourite to retain her title.’ reports bet365 spokesman Pat Cooney.
‘However, the title was only decided on the final race last year, so we can expect to see plenty of support at bigger prices for many of the other excellent riders throughout the series.’
The Musselburgh leg of The Silk Series has attracted nine declarations, with Megan Nicholls booked to ride Bal de Rio for trainer Brian Ellison. Winners of Silk Series races in 2017, Carol Bartley and Shelley Birkett are also both booked to ride, for trainers Keith Dalgleish and Alistair Whillans respectively.
Once again, jockeys will compete for points based on their finishing positions in each race, with the overall winner being awarded The Tufnell Trophy following the final race at Doncaster’s William Hill St Leger Festival.
Arena Racing Company PR and Communications Manager Sam Cone said, “We were delighted with the support The Silk Series received in its first year in 2017, and we very much hope that it will be as much of a success this summer”.
“Musselburgh is the first of the four new racecourse partners to host a race, which is a fantastic boost to The Silk Series. The aim has always been to offer a compelling series of races throughout the summer for female jockeys, and Musselburgh’s Stobo Castle Ladies Day is a great place to start.”
The Silk Series will be returning to Lingfield Park on July 21st, as well as an evening of thrilling racing this day is also our Ladies Evening! Miss Kylie will be taking centre stage after racing to help you boogy the night away!
