Pioneering jockey Lizzie Kelly, best known for her exploits with dual Grade 1-winning chaser Tea For Two, has announced her retirement from horseracing  and will continue to forge a path within the racing industry as she works in tandem with her husband, Ed to further Valentine Bloodstock. 

In 2015, Kelly became the first woman rider to win a Grade One race in Britain over jumps as she rode Tea For Two to victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

She would go on to make further inroads at the top as Tea For Two blossomed into an elite chaser. In 2017 the duo took to the Cheltenham Festival with the biggest prize of the lot in sight, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Despite missing out on that illustrious prize, the pair picked themselves up before taking on a very competitive field in the Betway Bowl at Aintree.

Tea For Two seemed to have more in the tank coming into the run in and asserted himself as he met the final fence on a good stride. She continued to coax her willing partner forward and the pair just got up to beat the quickly rallying Cue Card.

Kelly said: “That was fantastic. We were quietly confident going into the Gold Cup when our dreams were taken away from us. “He’s a horse that has produced timer and time again for me and my famil, everyone else puts in more work than I do but I get the opportunity to ride him. No doubt he was a dream ride”

 

 

Next up on her bucket list was that illusive Cheltenham Festival winner. That was to come true in 2018 as favourite Coo Star Sivola propelled her to the Prestbury Park winners’ enclosure following victory in Ultima Handicap Chase.

Coo Star Sivola holds off the rally to take the Ultima Handicap Chase at @CheltenhamRaces.

Tune in to @ITV now for all the action! pic.twitter.com/dQjxFeBF8X

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2018

“After last year, I’d made my peace with never being a Cheltenham Festival winner”

Winning jockey Lizzie Kelly on her huge win. pic.twitter.com/z5DCDZV3Jp

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 13, 2018

Having had her dreams come true the year prior. Kelly was to find herself in the winners’ enclosure once again in 2019 as Siruh Du Lac obliged in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate.

😁 She’s one happy lady!@LizDKelly spoke to @olibellracing following her win on Siruh Du Lac in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate

Watch the #CheltenhamFestival LIVE on @ITV pic.twitter.com/Ior7bcScKI

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2019

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

There’s been plenty of social media reaction following her announcement with the entire racing community wishing her the very best.

Thankyou to all those who played their part, big or small. Onto a new chapter… pic.twitter.com/MFxO1sJ9T2

— Liz Kelly (@LizDKelly) July 9, 2020

Best wishes to @LizDKelly who has announced her retirement this morning ⭐️

🏆 First woman rider to win a Grade One race in Britain over jumps
🏆 2015 Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase
🏆 2017 Grade 1 Betway Bowl
🏆 Two Cheltenham Festival winners pic.twitter.com/hkjYClFGGa

— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) July 9, 2020

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 9, 2020

Lizzie Kelly quits the saddle after learning she is expecting a baby

🗣 “I’ve been blessed to have been associated with the horses I have ridden”

Read more 👇

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) July 9, 202the joc