Plenty of interest for McCain family at Southwell

Keith Hamer
March 7, 2020 4:00 pm

Mixed card helps mark International Women’s Day.

Donald McCain has a double interest in the all-female race meeting to mark International Women’s Day at Southwell on Sunday.

The Cheshire-based trainer has three runners on the eight-race mixed card – and they will be ridden by his two daughters.

Abbie McCain teams up with Pinch Of Ginger in the in the opening N. & L. Franklin Developments Ltd Female Jockeys’ Handicap, while her sister Ella has rides in the two Flat races.

She partners Balata Bay in the Betway Female Jockeys Handicap and October Storm in the Betway Casino Female Jockeys’ Handicap.

“It should be a good fun day, hopefully,” said the Grand National-winning trainer.

However, the proud father is not too optimistic about their chances.

“They are just runners really. The old horse (Pinch Of Ginger) in the first has won a couple this season and has gone up in the weights a bit. He might to struggle a little bit now,” said McCain.

“The two horses Ella rides, one (Balata Bay) is a horse we bought out of a seller and the other (October Storm) is having his first run back after quite a while off. We’re just getting them started really.”

McCain has supported Carlisle’s race day that has been restricted to female riders since 2011.

“They have one up at Carlisle. That one works really well. It’s a great concept and a good night’s racing,” he said.

“There are plenty of girls riding winners, Flat and jumping.

The fixture also celebrates a record-breaking year for women in racing and is being run in conjunction with the sport’s Diversity in Racing Steering Group, the British Horseracing Authority, Women in Racing and Great British Racing.

Last year saw Bryony Frost become the first female jockey to win a Grade One race over obstacles during the Cheltenham Festival and Flat jockey Hollie Doyle break the record for most wins achieved in a calendar year by a female jockey.

Hayley Turner also became the first female rider to win at Royal Ascot in 32 years.

All three will be action at Southwell.