Horse racing is one of the few sports in the world than enables men and women to compete against one another on a level playing field.
There has been no shortage of female success stories in the world of racing throughout history, with female riders ranking among the very best in this modern era. That is highlighted by the success that has been achieved at the highest level of racing by riders such as Hollie Doyle and Rachael Blackmore.
However, American women have also shone at the top level of the sport in the modern era. So, who are five of the most successful U.S. women in horse racing and will we see any women in the 2025 Kentucky Derby betting online odds?
Julie Krone
There is little argument surrounding the debate that Julie Krone is one of the trailblazing female horse racing stars in the U.S. The jockey became the first, and only, woman to win a Triple Crown race in the United States after landing the Belmont Stakes in 1993 when aboard Colonial Affair.
The success made international headlines, but her ability to smash through glass ceilings continued throughout her career. That was further evidenced in 2003, as Krone became the first female to ride a winner at the Breeders’ Cup when landing the Juvenile Fillies when aboard Halfbridled.
Since retiring from the sport, Krone has continued to give female riders a platform. Her achievements were honoured in 2000 when she became the first female rider to be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Linda Rice
It isn’t just in the saddle that females have excelled, as Linda Rice is one of the most respected trainers across North America. Rice made her big breakthrough at Adena Springs.
One of her biggest successes would be achieved in 2009 after outperforming Todd Pletcher to win the top trainer award at Saratoga. Rice would continue to pick up training accolades throughout the 2010s, winning back-to-back titles at Aqueduct.
She has trained over 2,400 winners to date, which includes wins in prestigious stakes races such as the Woodford, Spinaway and Belmont Oaks. She is yet to train a winner of a Triple Crown race, but her excellent performances have seen her named the NYTHA Trainer of the Year on three occasions.
Jena Antonucci
Jena Antonucci made history in 2023 after becoming the first woman to train a winner in the U.S. Triple Crown. The success with Arcangelo made international headlines, and saw the trainer emerge as one of the leading operations across North America.
Her success wasn’t news to everyone, as she picked up all the information that she needed under the guidance of legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas. After going solo, she registered a first victory at Tampa Bay Downs in March 2010, before a first stakes win would arrive six years later with Doctor J Dub in the Turf Monster Stakes.
Her success in the Belmont Stakes raised the bar for female trainers, and she would make more history in 2023 when Arcangelo landed the Travers Stakes, making Antonucci the second winning female trainer of the race in its 154-year history.
Cherie DeVaux
Another female trainer that is emerging as one of the leaders across North America is Cherie DeVaux. The New York native spent over a decade as an assistant trainer with first Chuck Simon, before moving to the Chad Brown yard.
However, she made the decision to go solo in the spring of 2018 after eight years with the Brown yard. That decision appears to have been vindicated, as DeVaux has recorded 223 wins in 1,363 starters, and she has amassed over $24 million in career earnings.
DeVaux has trained three Grade One winners to this point, including Breeders’ Cup Mile victor More Than Looks. Furthermore, she has amassed over $1 million in earnings with Vahva and She Feels Pretty.
Diane Crump
Diane Crump is one of the most important female stars in the history of American horse racing. She became the first woman to ride as a professional jockey when aboard Bridle ‘n Bit at Hialeah Park in February 1969.
However, it wasn’t a hugely positive experience for the jockey, as she was given a police escort to the track due to the negative feedback from the crowd in attendance. But, she showed that women were able to compete at the highest level of the sport throughout her career, racking up more than 200 career wins.
She would make further history in 1970 when becoming the first female rider to take a ride in the Kentucky Derby. However, she could only fifth 15th in the race at Churchill Downs. However, her reputation saw her become a worldwide star, as she competed in Venezuela and Puerto Rico. After an early retirement, Crump returned to the saddle in 1992 before officially retiring from racing in 1998.
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