Former jockey Hayley Turner has been awarded an OBE for services to horseracing

Former jockey Hayley Turner has been awarded an OBE for services to horse racing in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Nottinghamshire-born Turner, 33, was crowned joint-champion apprentice in 2005 and retired at the end of last season after regularly breaking new ground during her career.

She became the first female rider to win a Group One contest outright in Britain when steering the David Simcock-trained Dream Ahead to victory in the July Cup at Newmarket in 2011 and followed up when Margot Did won the Nunthorpe Stakes for Michael Bell a month later.

Simcock supplied Turner with another victory at the top level courtesy of I'm A Dreamer in the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington in 2012.

Turner - the first woman to ride 100 winners in a calendar year in 2008 - was part of the Girls team which claimed a memorable success at the Shergar Cup in August last year.

She also rode at the World All-Star Jockeys Challenge in Japan and was successful aboard Win Phoenix at Sapporo racecourse.

Another notable win for Turner was the 2010 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock on Barshiba for David Elsworth in the colours of Jeff Smith.

She was narrowly denied ending on a high when second aboard Buonarroti in the November Handicap at Doncaster.

Her riding years were not without problems, however, most significantly suffering a head injury in bad fall on the gallops in 2009 and being hurt at Doncaster in 2013.

Since hanging up her riding boots, Turner has taken an increasingly prominent media role, doing regular stints for dedicated racing channel At The Races.

"It's been really difficult trying to keep it a secret, it's such an honour and I can't quite believe it,'' she told Press Association Sport.

"My family are not from a racing background, but my mum was a riding instructor. When it came to deciding on something to do with my life, I went into racing because I really enjoyed riding and I wasn't academic.

"Being a jockey took me all over the world, I rode winners in France, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Africa and America - there aren't many jobs that take you to those places.

"It's so nice to be recognised. It's a tough job but the highs are brilliant. One day you are a hero but the next you start all over again.

"I had some bad injuries, particularly the one at Doncaster, that was the toughest to come back from, but my family and friends gave me loads of support and I got my confidence back. I was able to leave on a high, which I was  determined to do.

"I rode some big winners, obviously the Group Ones were great, but one of my most memorable rides was the first one back from a head injury. I'd been signed off for a year, but the neurosurgeon who treated me helped me appeal and I was back after four months.

"I rode at Ascot and finished second and the crowd cheered me back in, that was very emotional.

"The main reason I gave up was it is a hard life going racing every day when you have to spend roughly five hours a day in your car. It doesn't leave you with time for a social life, you can't plan anything. Now I can live a normal life.

"I realised it was time to quit when I woke up and didn't fancy driving to Haydock one day. It set the alarm bells ringing.

"Hopefully there are more girls going to make the breakthrough. Josephine Gordon is doing well, but I'd like to see her get some better rides. The key is when you lose your claim (as an apprentice).

"That was when I realised I could make a living out of it, when I started being paid the same as Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore for a ride and I was still having winners.

"I've been keeping busy since I finished. I work for At The Races, I'm appearing on a Radio 5Live Sports Panel, I'm at a Longines Women In Sport awards ceremony then it's Ascot all next week. And I still ride out for James Fanshawe.''

Turner was apprenticed to Bell in her early years and he said on her retirement: "She was with us a long time and has certainly been an ambassador for the sport.

"She rode lots of good winners for us, but I thought her ride on I'm A Dreamer in particular was out of the top drawer, and on a global stage, too.

"I can't think of anyone that could have ridden the horse better.''