Josephine Gordon

2016 Champion Apprentice Josephine Gordon has fast developed into one of the most reliable jockeys in the game. Despite 18 months between her first and second success, when it came in June 2015, it was the start of a purple patch. Her 2016 campaign yielded more than 70 winners, including 50 in the Apprentice Championship and secured major rides with Sir Michael Stoute and Hugo Palmer, with whom she would partner up in 2017.

At the Lester Awards in 2016, Gordon won the Lady Jockey of the Year as well as the Apprentice of the Year. The following year, further success followed with a Victoria Cup win on Fastnet Tempest and backed that up with Group 3 glory in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Koropick. A second soon followed at Newmarket with victory for Apphia in the Princess Royal Stakes in September.

In November 2017, she became the second female rider to win 100 races in the calendar, following Hayley Turner who achieved the feat in 2008. Gordon would finish 24th in the Jockeys Championship, her highest ever finish to date.

Since then, her partnership with Hugo Palmer has ended but Gordon continues to ride winners for a number of trainers.

Fastnet Tempest – Victoria Cup (2017)

This was a vintage Josephine Gordon ride. A horse that was tricky to win with, Fastnet Tempest had to be unleashed in the final furlong and Gordon did just that. After travelling strongly into the race, he was held onto until the furlong pole before being allowed to stride away and win by just under a length. The horse would go on to win Group 3 honours in Australia, but only bagged one more success in the UK.

Koropick – Chipchase Stakes (2017)

Koropick was a frustrating three-year-old, winning just once during the 2017 campaign. However, it was testament to Gordon’s ability that she was able to guide Koropick home in front to grab a Group 3 victory. He was briefly hampered with a furlong to run but battled gamely to hold off Intisaab for David O’Meara and Danny Tudhope by a head.

Apphia – Princess Royal Stakes (2017)

Apphia didn’t make her racecourse debut until she was five, but finally came good on that initial promise when winning the Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket. As a 20/1 outsider, she was given a relatively soft lead and was able to set the fractions out in front. Gordon timed her run to perfection, quickening with two furlongs to run and clinging on at the finish to win by half a length. A masterful tactical ride.

Chartered – 3yo (Ralph Beckett)

After three runs in novice events, Chartered stepped up in trip and form for her handicap debut and made no mistake over 12 furlongs, cruising to success by over four lengths under Josephine Gordon. That looked like a competitive 0-90 handicap and no doubt this filly has plenty of scope for improvement. The Ebor at York could be a long-distance target for this progressive three-year-old.

Majestic Dawn – 3yo (Paul Cole)

Majestic Dawn has already had six runs in his fledgling career, having only made his racecourse debut in January 2019. The three-year-old has ran in several decent handicaps including the London Gold Cup at Newbury and the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot. Finishing seventh in both of them races, Gordon was on board for a decent third at the July meeting and he could be well treated when getting weight off the older horses in handicaps towards the end of the season.

Brian The Snail – 5yo (Richard Fahey)

Despite having had over 20 races, Brian The Snail might only be coming back to his two-year-old best in 2019. Having initially been rated as high as 102 for Godolphin, he has had several injury issues and fell down to a mark of 86 before winning well in a class 4 event at Doncaster in May. He has since ran well in a heritage handicap at Ascot for Gorden over five furlongs, a trip short of his optimum. If returning to six furlongs, he could just be able to get his head in front again.

Global Hunter – 3yo (Saeed bin Suroor)

This Godolphin-owned horse could be a serious talent for Gordon and Saeed bin Suroor. Having dwelt from the start in a Windsor novice event, this three-year-old was driven up to contest the lead with King Ademar, who hung into the newcomer. As a result, Global Hunter was impeded and failed to get up by a nose but was subsequently awarded the race by the stewards. With that racecourse experience in the bank, Global Hunter will surely progress from that run and develop into a decent performer

Josephine Gordon’s net worth is unknown but according to the Racing Post, her total earnings since January 2015 are more than £3 million, with £1.8m of that in winning prize money.

Gordon has been attached to several trainers and owners since making her racecourse debut, having been used by Stan Moore as apprentice jockey. As well as riding for major trainers such as Sir Michael Stoute, she signed a retainer in 2017 with Hugo Palmer but that partnership ended earlier this year.

After that contract ended, Gordon told the Racing Post: “I would like to thank Hugo for taking the plunge and appointing me two years ago which gave me so many opportunities including winning my first group race.

“Also I was able to ride in my first Grade 1 race in the U.S. which is something I’ll never forget.

“The plan now is to ride as a freelance this year and I’ve been riding out for a few new trainers lately including Ed Dunlop, who I’ve never ridden work for before.

“Hopefully I can also still ride for Hugo but it makes sense to keep my options open. It’s the start of the season and everyone is raring to go and it’s a good time to be in Newmarket.”

She has also ridden for powerhouse owners Godolphin. Currently, Gordon’s main sources of rides come from the yards of Ralph Beckett, Phil McEntee and Saeed bin Suroor.