Female flat and jump jockeys in France will receive a 2kg (4.4 lbs) allowance in all but pattern races and the daily Quinte handicap from March, France Galop has announced.

It is hoped to increase the opportunities for females who account for a sixth of all jockeys.

The surprise news raised eyebrows here, not so much because the allowance is being brought in, but because of the size of it, particularly as the best female riders here are considered the equal to if not better than many of their male counterparts.

The allowance is likely to be closely monitored from this side of the Channel, not least of all by those female jockeys who might be struggling here and might now regard France as a land of opportunity.

Several jump jockeys who were only just about making it pay here and were prepared to go to France and learn the language are already making a decent living in France because of the better prize money.

In a statement, the BHA said: “It is a source of pride that British racing is one of the few sports where females compete against males on equal terms. While there are currently no plans to look at a female jockeys’ weight allowance, we have noted France Galop’s announcement with great interest and we aim to speak with our partners in France to understand why they have taken these steps at this particular time, as well as to discuss the matter with the PJA as part of our on-going dialogue with them.