Openly Queer Members of the Horse Racing Community

Horse racing is a sport for everybody, no matter your walk of life, skin colour or sexuality.

However, like many sports that promise an open-door policy, there have been countless occasions in which people involved in the sport have been scared to be their true self.

There is certainly a feeling that horse racing is ahead of many sport's when it comes to its acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights, and there have been many flag bearers in the sport to prove that it isn't a case of hiding who you really are.

But, who have been some of the most inspiring members of the racing community that have stood up for individuality?

Michael Appleby

Michael Appleby has been a pioneering figure in the world of horse racing throughout his 30-year career. The trainer was previously the stable jockey for John Manners for a three-year period, achieving great success on the all-weather for the yard.

After ending his career in the saddle, he became the head lad at the Roger Curtis yard, before taking an excellent opportunity doing the same role with Andrew Balding. It was during his time at Kingsclere Stables that he would discover just what it takes to train horses at the highest level.

In 2010, he made the decision to go at it alone, winning three races. Further success would follow in 2011, gaining 20 winners.

Since opening his yard, Appleby has won the All-Weather champion trainer on four occasions, and notably won the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with Big Evs in 2023. Appleby came out over 15 years ago, and was delighted with the sport's welcoming nature for his announcement.

Victoria Smith

Victoria Smith is one of the all-to-common stories of a person feeling trapped in the wrong body. Born a boy, she dreamt of a life as a jockey, and they would fulfil that dream after winning 250 races in the saddle.

However, Smith would later look to transition to become her true self. She admitted that while she was riding, she was no stranger to living the high life after a day at the track, celebrating long into the night with beautiful ladies.

But, it was during this time that she would get invested into living as a woman, and life in the saddle became more troubling as she would feel stuck inside a prison trying to live a lie on the track.

After transitioning, Smith returned to the track in May 2018, finishing second in her first race. She cites influences such as Caitlyn Jenner and Kellie Maloney as figures that she aspired to be like.

Jack Duern

You don't need to know where to bet on horse racing to be fascinated with Duern story.

Jack Duern made history in 2013 when he came out as gay, becoming the first open jockey in the weighing room.

The news made international headlines, but in this day and age, it only appeared to take away the attention from his ability in the saddle. Duern has needed to overcome no shortage of issues during his career, with a potentially career-threatening injury ruling him out for two years in 2019.

After a return to action, another bad injury saw him announce his retirement in 2023. However, he later revealed that the break from riding in 2019 was also down to the lack of acceptance of his sexual orientation and how it impacted his riding opportunities.

But, Duern was ushered back into the sport in July 2021 after getting support from trainers such as Steph Hollinshead and Simon Dow.

Josephine Gordon

While married to a man, Josephine Gordon has played an important role in the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community with the world of horse racing. Along with Jack Duern, she launched 'Racing is Everyone's Sport' in 2021, which championed the inclusion of gay, bisexual, and trans people in the sport.

As such, the sport stages racedays at Sandown, Aintree, and Chepstow annually in December. Gordon's standing in the sport accelerated the acceptance of people wishing to come out, and she constantly broke down barriers throughout her racing career. She is one of just three women to have won the Champion Apprentice title, following Hayley Turner and Amy Ryan.

She picked up big rides throughout her career from yards such as Sir Michael Stoute, Hugo Palmer and the Godolphin operation. One of her first big victories was achieved in the Victoria Cup at Ascot, before winning a group race for the first time in 2017.

A standout year would come in 2016, as she came just the second female rider at the time to eclipse 100 winners on the track, finishing 24th in the Jockeys' Championship standings. Her support off track could eventually eclipse what she was able to achieve in the saddle, as her and Duern are breaking new ground and making foundations for the future of the sport.