Charlotte Brew is a British equestrian. She made history in 1977, when she was the first woman to ride in the Grand National, on her horse Barony Fort. Women were allowed to ride in the race for the first time because of the passing of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
In addition to the legislation, the horse’s previous race performance made it possible for Brew to enter the Grand National. Because Brew’s horse, Barony Fort, was the fourth and final to complete the Foxhunters, an earlier competition, the horse was permitted to race in the Grand National.
Brew almost finished the race, but as she got to the fourth-to-last fence her horse fell and she was unable to fully complete the race. However, she paved the way for female jockeys in this race and the first woman to complete the Grand National was Geraldine Rees in 1982.
Since the passing of the Sex Discrimination Act a total of 15 female jockeys have participated in 18 Grand Nationals.