Racheal Kneller left with 'no choice' but to retire from riding

A lack of opportunities forced Racheal Kneller to make the "heartbreaking" decision to give up riding.

The 28-year-old, who has had only 43 winners under Rules, feels she has no choice but to quit the saddle when her current licence ends in March.

Having ridden just three winners in 2015, she admits to having found it tough since returning from a serious injury two years ago when she broke her back and her pelvis.

"I've really struggled to get regular rides since I was injured. It's been a losing battle," she said.

"This year I said I was going to have a break. It was starting to wreck my head a bit.

"I've just ridden for Mr (James) Bennett, who has always supported me. I didn't have an agent this year and I haven't ridden out for people. I took it as a bit of a gap year.

"Then I've just been thinking more about it. It's not just a job, it's a lifestyle. I'm not as lucky as some of the girls to be naturally light. I have to work hard at it.

"When I'm having to put hours in the gym and then go on a diet just to get one ride every three weeks it just seems not to be worthwhile.

"I'm just getting the scraps people don't want and that's getting harder now. Since I came back from injury it's not took off for me and it's making me quite depressed."

I would be lying if I said I thought we were on equal terms. I've actually rung trainers myself and they have said they don't want a girl on it. Hayley said to me I'll know when it's time to give up. She was ready, but I'm not. I haven't had a choice.

She had been critical earlier in the year of the opportunity handed to Olympic-winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton as an amateur rider.

Kneller believes it is still tougher for girls to get rides on a regular basis unless they have a big stable behind them.

"My problem is that the girls who are doing well like Sammy Jo (Bell) and like Amy Ryan, and when Hayley (Turner) was in her prime, they were all attached to big yards," she said.

"I don't have the backing of anyone and don't have a trainer to support me. I would be lying if I said I thought we were on equal terms (with male riders).

"I've actually rung trainers myself and they have said they don't want a girl on it. You can't be more black and white than that.

"I shall ride over the winter and come March hopefully I'll have something else in the pipeline. I'm going to ride until then.

"People forget it's not just a hobby, it's our bread and butter. If I'm not riding, I'm not earning and I've got bills to pay. It's sad. I don't want to do this but I feel I have no choice.

"As yet I don't know what I'm going to do. I've been looking into other things because I need to have a back-up.

"I've spent so many hours on the internet looking at university courses and Jets (Jockeys Employment & Training Scheme), but I've no idea where I want to go as all I've ever wanted to do is to be a jockey.

"It's quite heartbreaking now it's coming to an end. I don't know what's next for me, but I'm sure something will come up.

"Hayley said to me I'll know when it's time to give up. She was ready, but I'm not.

"I haven't had a choice."