Emma Sayer took centre stage at Carlisle Racecourse as she brought the curtain down on her jockey career with an emotional win.

Sayer, from Hackthorpe, is now to retire, but managed to score in her farewell outing with Redarna.

It was also a memorable meet for jockey Shelley Birkett who brought up her 100th career win at Ladies day at the Durdar Road venue with a double.

The first race of Ladies night was won by 9-1 shot Moonlit Sands which pipped Lawrence Mullaney-trained Gorgeous General to the line.

"It’s brilliant," said jockey Megan Nicholls, speaking about the event as she began a busy night for herself in style.

"There is a huge crowd and a big field every year."

Second-favourite Redrosezorro, a 10-3 shot, then finished on top of “The Glo and Go Premium Quality Tanning Handicap Stakes”.

The horse is owned by the Red Rose Partnership which has now won their last four successive races and earned another £3,292 in owners’ prize-money for their success. It was also a poignant victory for Birkett.

She said: "I have just come back from injury [after a dislocated hip which she suffered at Yarmouth].

"That’s my first winner since I came back."

Then, in the seven-strong card, trainer Michael Dods scored with Gale Force Maya in the next race.

With Paula Muir in the saddle, Gale Force Maya came home first, earning a third win from six runs this year. Muir’s horse came home in front of Nigel Tinkler-trained Tenax in second.

Jockey Muir said: "She did well. She is a really game filly.

"It’s always nice to get a winner, but especially here because [the event] is for women."

There was a surprise in the fourth race of the evening, “The Glo Like a Winner Handicap Stakes Class Five Pro-AM Lady Riders’ Race”, as Zealous earned Birkett her 100th career race at odds of 18/1.

Birkett joked: "I think he wanted further, I did another circuit!"

On her century of victories, Birkett said: "It’s a massive achievement for me.

"It’s something I never thought I would do, and it’s great to do it here."

But it was then Sayer’s turn to steal the show at the Cumbrian course as she scored with 3-1 favourite Redarna, having announced she is to retire after last night’s meeting.

Asked if it has been a tough decision, Emma said: “It has, and it hasn’t. It’s been in my mind.

"Tonight is the night on my local track. This is where I am happiest, so I’m going to bow out here.”

Becky Smith also scored when she cruised to a victory on board Stormin Norman and then Breathable, led by trainer Tim and jockey Emily Easterby, won the final race of the day, the Tracy Gannon Inspirational Lady Glo and Go Handicap named in recognition of Carlisle United Ladies' manager.