- Josephine Gordon recorded her 100th win in a calendar year on Saturday
- She rode Thunderbolt Rocks to victory at Wolverhampton to complete the feat
- In doing so at Wolverhampton, Gordon emulated her ‘idol’ Hayley Turner
- Turner achieved her one and only century in 2008 at the same Midlands venue
Josephine Gordon has expressed her delight at emulating her ‘idol’ Hayley Turner by hitting 100 winners in a calendar year when Thunderbolt Rocks won at Wolverhampton on Saturday.
Gordon, 24, became the fastest British female jockey to three figures.
When Turner achieved her one and only century in 2008, it was nail-bitingly achieved at the same Midlands venue on December 30.
Josephine Gordon has expressed her delight at hitting 100 winners in a calendar year
Gordon, whose mounts have earned over £1.2m, has reached the landmark in 835 rides, 154 less than it took Turner and 35 days quicker.
Gordon said: ‘In 2008, when Hayley got 100 winners, I was sat in school and looking up to Hayley thinking: “Wow that’s amazing”.
‘I would never have expected for myself to then go on and hit those heights. Hayley was my idol when I was a kid so I’m very happy to emulate her and reach these goals that I’ve set myself.’
Gordon became only the third female jockey to be crown champion apprentice in 2016 when she rode 87 winner. On that achievement, she again emulated Turner (2005) and also Amy Ryan (2012).
Gordon has emulated her ‘idol’ Hayley Turner by winning at Wolverhampton on Saturday
The Devon-born Gordon took a significant step in her career when signing up to ride for Newmarket trainer Hugo Palmer this year.
That has helped Gordon in achieving her target of also increasing the quality of her mounts.
Gordon landed her first group race on Palmer-trained Koropick in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle in July. She also landed the Group Three Nayef Stakes at Ascot in September on Palmer-trained Apphia in September.
Other highlights include having her first rides at Royal Ascot and also a first ride in a Classic when unplaced on outsider Dream Start in the 1,000 Guineas.
Turner achieved her one and only century in December 2008 at the same Midlands venue
The jockey said: ‘I set myself a few targets at the start of the year and to reach all of them, I’m just pinching myself really.
‘In the first year out of your claim you don’t know how it’s going to go, but all of the trainers have kept on backing me so to reach 100 winners feels incredible.’
Turner’s two group one wins is now the next target for Gordon, as well as cementing a berth in the top 10 riders. She currently lies 11th.
Gordon’s success is all the more admirable considering that her career only look off towards the end of 2015 after struggling to get a foothold in the sport with only one wins in her first 64 rides.