Horse racing is one of the few sports in the world where men and women compete against each other. But it's not just the jockeys facing off. When it comes to thoroughbreds, which is the fairer sex?
Ladies, gentlemen, take your mark —
Horse racing is one of the few sports in the world where men and women compete against each other. But it's not just the jockeys facing off. When it comes to thoroughbreds, which is the fairer sex?
Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images/File
Queen Elizabeth was delighted when her horse, Estimate, won at Royal Ascot recently. The champion filly was one of the few female horses to win at the five-day competition. In Britain, 67% of winning thoroughbreds are male.
Lady luck —
Queen Elizabeth was delighted when her horse, Estimate, won at Royal Ascot recently. The champion filly was one of the few female horses to win at the five-day competition. In Britain, 67% of winning thoroughbreds are male.
Unless of course, you're competing against Australian wonder mare Black Caviar. The female thoroughbred (immortalized in a statue, pictured) retired last year after 25 consecutive wins.
Pin-up girl —
Unless of course, you're competing against Australian wonder mare Black Caviar. The female thoroughbred (immortalized in a statue, pictured) retired last year after 25 consecutive wins.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images/File
"At the top level it does take a special filly to beat the boys," said British Horse Racing Authority spokesman, Paul Rogers. "Having said that, there's been some fantastic female horses recently, such as Black Caviar and Danedream," he added, referring to the German horse which won the Prix de L'Arc Triomphe in 2011 (pictured).
Sisters doing it —
"At the top level it does take a special filly to beat the boys," said British Horse Racing Authority spokesman, Paul Rogers. "Having said that, there's been some fantastic female horses recently, such as Black Caviar and Danedream," he added, referring to the German horse which won the Prix de L'Arc Triomphe in 2011 (pictured).
Thomas Samson/Getty Images/File
The high number of male race horses may also be down to their profitability as breeding studs. Undefeated colt Frankel (pictured), who retired last year after a 14-win career, is expected to earn $150,000 per offspring.
Super stud —
The high number of male race horses may also be down to their profitability as breeding studs. Undefeated colt Frankel (pictured), who retired last year after a 14-win career, is expected to earn $150,000 per offspring.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images/File