Hayley Turner taking the positives as three-month betting ban expires

Hayley Turner will be getting straight back into the saddle in France on Thursday to resume a career as a full-time jockey, saying she has learned from the experience that led to her serving a three-month ban for breaching betting rules.

Britain's most successful female jockey was suspended in December over bets placed on an account she opened after she retired from riding in 2015 but continued to hold a professional licence.

Turner, 35, was working for ITV Racing and had just returned to riding more regularly in France, where female jockeys receive a weight allowance, when she was charged by the BHA and suspended by a disciplinary panel.

She has put her broadcasting career on hold and is set to have her first ride back in a Listed race at Chantilly in France, where she will continue to base herself.

"It's not been a huge loss," Turner said. "You always learn from these mishaps. You find a positive out of it and it has enabled me to I have a nice, proper break.

"I've been back in Nottingham and it's given me the opportunity to spend more time with family. I have always had difficulty being able to switch off and this is the first time I have.

"I have been keeping fit and had the odd holiday and have just got back from Florida, where I rode out for Christophe Clement. It is such a good way to get fit. They train them differently over there, so I was riding six horses a morning and going nearly three miles on them and that strengthens you up quite quickly."

Turner rode ten winners during her short spell riding in France, taking advantage of a 4.4lb allowance for females, which has been reduced to 3.3lb this year.

"You have to learn a different style and different tracks but having the three months under my belt is a big plus," she added.

"I am going to be riding quite a lot of for owner John Corbani. He has quite a few horses with Stephane Wattel. After Chantilly on Thursday, I think I am at Fontainebleau on Friday and Wolverhampton Saturday. I am going to get back to Britain when I can and will be riding out for Michael Bell.

"The allowance is 3.3lb, which is quite generous still. I don't know how long it will last for. The prize-money is good in France as well and it seems the obvious choice. I've enjoyed working with ITV and hopefully I can do a few bits, but riding is the priority now."

You might also be interested in:

'It's a bitter pill to swallow': Hayley Turner upset after betting breach ban

Hayley Turner to make riding return upon completion of betting ban next month

Hayley Turner to ride in France in bid to exploit weight allowance