Irish Racing Legends

 

LEADING JUMP JOCKEY BIOS 

​

BOBBY BEASLEY
Born: London,1935-2008

ONE OF the most naturally-talented jump jockeys Ireland produced in the post-war era, the London-born Bobby (Henry Robert) Beasley is one of a select few to have ridden the winners of the Grand National (Nicolaus Silver 1961), the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Roddy Owen 1959) and the Champion Hurdle (Another Flash 1960). Rode with great success in Britain for Fred Rimell and Fred Winter and was also associated with an Irish training legend, Paddy Sleator. 
  Problems with drink forced him into early retirement in 1969, but he returned to the saddle in 1971 and partnered Captain Christy (whom he also rode to success in the Irish Sweeps Hurdle and Scottish Champion Hurdle) to Gold Cup glory in 1974, defying the old saying that they never come back. He didn't take his first drink until he was 24 but alcohol soon took control of his life. He lost his position as stable jockey to Fred Winter and his marriage to his first wife Shirley collapsed. Eventually he was persuaded to attend Alcoholics Anonymous. He was 38 - and sober for five years - when Pat Taaffe, the trainer and former rider of Arkle, gave him the ride on Captain Christy.
  His Grand National win on Nicolaus Silver kept up a remarkable family tradition as his grandfather, Harry, won it once (Come Away 1891) and his uncle, Tommy, three times (Empress 1880, Woodbrook 1881 and Frigate 1889). Arthur Thompson, his late father-in-law, also won the great race twice (Sheila's Cottage 1948 and Teal 1952).
  He was Irish champion jump jockey in 1958, 1959 and 1960 as well as amateur champion in 1953. In 1963 he landed the Mackeson Gold Cup on Richard Of Bordeaux, and in 1966 the Triumph Hurdle on Black Ice. After retiring from the saddle for good in 1975, he trained for a time at Lewes and Marlborough, and as if to prove that he had beaten his addiction he ran a pub for eight years. His father, Harry, was an outstanding Flat jockey and rode the winner of two Irish Derbys (King John 1918 and Zionist 1925).

  Along with author and old friend Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker he wrote an autobiography, Second Start. He died January 9th, 2008, aged 72.  

​

FRANK BERRY
Born: 1950

FRANK BERRY was champion jump jockey in Ireland 10 times and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Glencaraig Lady in 1972. A stylish rider, he won virtually all the major chases and hurdles in Ireland in the 70s and 80s - mainly riding for Francis Flood - and was associated with such good horses as Bobsline (1984 Arkle Trophy Chase winner), Barrow Line, Bannow Rambler (1975 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner), Antarctic Bay (1985 Royal and SunAlliance Chase) and Drumgora (1981 Champion Chase winner). Doubleuagain (1982 Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup) was his other Cheltenham Festival winner, giving him a grand total of six.

  Important wins domestically came in the Leopardstown Chase (Spanish Tan 1975; Siberian Sun 1977; Bobsline 1984; Barrow Line 1987), Irish Champion Hurdle (Robosaint 1975; Prominent King 1976), Power Gold Cup (Bobsline 1984; Lucisis 1985; Barrow Line), Heineken Gold Cup (Owens Image 1981; Whistling Senator 1983), Thyestes Chase (Tacroy 1983; Lucisis 1987), Kinloch Brae Chase (Glencaraig lady 1972), Jameson Gold Cup Novice Hurdle (Ribosaint 1974), Country Pride Champion Novice Hurdle (Ribosaint 1974; Bannow Rambler 1975; Settle It 1978; El-Sid Senor 1988), John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Fort Fox 1976; Bobsline 1984 and 1986), Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase (Perpol 1973; Spanish Tan 1975; Siberian Sun 1976; Bobsline 1983; Barrow Line 1986; Abbey Glen 1987), Downshire Hurdle (Lor-Ne-Gail 1973; Oisin Dubh 1978), Castlemartin Stud Pat Taaffe Chase (Fethard Friend 1982), Kerry National (Fethard Friend 1982), Fortria Chase (Drumgora 1981; Ballymiles 1983), Munster National (Fethard Friend 1981), Morgiana Hurdle (Daring Run 1982; Northern Game 1984), Drinmore Novice Chase (Silent Member 1982; Barrow Line 1986; Abbey Glen 1987), Denny Juvenile Hurdle (Morton 1981), Johnstown Novice Hurdle (Bobsline 1983; Sub-Editor 1985), Dunshaughlin Hurdle (Barrow Line 1986), Ratoath Novice Chase (Call The Tune 1977; Silent Member 1983; Lucisis 1985), Grand National Trial (Last Suspect 1982), Red Mills Hurdle (Barrow Line 1986), Nas Na Riogh Chase (Master Monday 1980; Twinburn 1983), Newlands Chase (Golden Rapper 1975; Spanish Tan 1976), Smithwicks Beer Hurdle (Rostan 1973 and 1976; Carraignavar 1977; The Lady's Master 1978; Doubleuagain 1980; Western Sunset 1982).
  As an apprentice, he rode Giolla Mear to win the 1968 Irish St Leger. Launched his training career in 1990 after he was forced into early retirement through injury. Achieved his biggest training success when Laura's Beau won the 1992 Midlands National at Uttoxeter but quit at the end of 2000 to become racing manager to legendary National Hunt owner JP McManus. Son Fran, also an accomplished jockey, retired from race-riding in 2019 following a fall at Wolverhampton. He rode 1,020 winners on the flat in Ireland as well as 200 in the UK. He was also a successful jump jockey, winning the 1999 Coral Cup on the Christy Roche-trained Khayrawani at the Cheltenham Festival.  

​

RACHAEL BLACKMORE

Born: 1989

RACHAEL BLACKMORE stunned the racing world by announcing her retirement at the age of 35 from race riding in May 2025. She will be forever remembered for riding Minella Times to victory in the 2021 Aintree Grand National, becoming the first female jockey to win the world's greatest steeplechase race. She added a Gold Cup to that glittering CV with a fine success in the Cheltenham centrepiece in 2022 on A Plus Tard, and also for good measure became the first woman to ride the winner of the Champion Hurdle (twice on Honeysuckle 2021, 2022), the Queen Mother Champion Chase (Captain Guinness 2024) and the Stayers' Hurdle (Bob Olinger), completing the full house of the festival's marquee events.

  In 2021 she had created more history by becoming the first female rider to finish leading jockey at the iconic meeting with six winners, just one short of Ruby Walsh's all-time record of seven. Five of them came on horses trained by Co Waterford handler Henry De Bromhead, with Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle the best of the haul. In taking the opening day showpiece she also became the first female to win a championship race at Cheltenham.

  The partnership returned 12 months later to retain their Champion Hurdle crown. The mare won four consecutive times at the Prestbury Park venue, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career with an emotionally-charged win in the 2023 Mares' Hurdle (a race she also won in 2020), bowing out with 17 career wins from 19 hurdle starts. Six months earlier, the trainer's 13-year-old son Jack had suffered fatal injuries in a pony racing accident in Co Kerry. The post-race scenes in the winners' enclosure will likely never be seen again.

  Her first success under rules came as an amateur jockey on the Shark Hanlon-trained Stowaway Pearl in 2011 and after riding six more winners she decided to take the plunge in 2015, becoming the first female jockey to go professional since Maria Cullen in the 1980s. Hanlon was again the provider of her first success in the paid ranks with Most Honourable at Clonmel (2015) and by May 2017 she had picked up the conditional riders' title, partnering 32 winners. Her talents were beginning to come to the notice of some shrewd observers and her first treble on De Bromhead-trained horses at Tipperary in 2018 announced the arrival of a special talent.

  Her first Cheltenham Festival winner came on A Plus Tard (2019 Centenary Novices' Chase), followed by a shock 50/1 victory aboard Minella Indo in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. Sixteen more followed (see below), including three Grade Ones on Bob Olinger. The gelding's 2025 victory in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle meant she was the first woman to win all four Championship races at the Festival. 

  She partnered wonder-mare Honeysuckle 19 times over hurdles, winning 17. As well as those four Festival successes, Honeysuckle carried her to three Irish Champion Hurdles (2020, 2021, 2022), two Punchestown Champion Hurdles (2021 and 2022) and three Hatton's Grace Hurdles (2019, 2020, 2021). She was voted BBC Sports Personality's World Sport Star of the Year 2021.

  Enjoyed a first Group success on the Flat, as well as her first winner in Britain on the level, when steering Term Of Endearment to Group Three success in the Bronte Cup Fillies' Stakes at York in 2024. Her last winner was Ma Belle Etoile in a novice hurdle at Cork May 10 2025. Rode 564 winners over jumps (527 in Ireland and 37 in Great Britain, including 33 Grade Ones, as well as a further 12 on the Flat.

​​

BLACKMORE'S 18 FESTIVAL WINNERS

 2019 A Plus Tard (Centenary Novices' Chase)

 2019 Minella Indo (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle)

 2020 Honeysuckle (David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle)

 2021 Bob Olinger (Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle)

 2021 Sir Gerhard (Champion Bumper)

 2021 Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle)

 2021 Telmesomethinggirl (Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle)

 2021 Allaho (Ryanair Chase)

 2021 Quilixios (Triumph Hurdle)

 2022 A Plus Tard (Gold Cup)

 2022 Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle)

 2022 Bob Olinger (Golden Miller Novices' Chase)

 2023 Honeysuckle (David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle)

 2023 Envoi Allen (Ryanair Chase)

 2024 Slade Steel (Supreme Novices' Hurdle)

 2024 Captain Guinness (Queen Mother Champion Chase)

 2025 Air Of Entitlement (Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle)​

 2025 Bob Olinger (Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle)

​​​

AUBREY BRABAZON

Born: 1920-1996

ONE OF Ireland's most stylish and accomplished jockeys, Aubrey Brabazon won three Cheltenham Gold Cups on Cottage Rake (1948, 1949 and 1950) and two Champion Hurdles on Hatton's Grace (1949 and 1950) for Vincent O'Brien between 1948 and 1950. Cottage Rake also gave him a big-race success in the King George V1 Chase (1948).

  Born into a family steeped in racing, he had his first ride at the age of 13, and was apprenticed to his father Cecil at 14. His first of 406 winners in Ireland came a year later in 1935 when he partnered Queen Christina at the Phoenix Park.  Like his great rival Martin Molony, he was equally effective on the Flat and won an Irish Oaks in 1948 on Masaka and an Irish 2,000 Guineas on Mighty Ocean in 1950. His achievement in 1950 of riding a unique treble (Cheltenham Gold Cup on Cottage Rake; Champion Hurdle on Hatton's Grace and an Irish 2,000 Guineas on Mighty Ocean) is unlikely to be matched. Was joint champion jockey with Molony in 1946 with 30 winners.

  Went on to train after his retirement in 1960 (taking over from his father at Rangers Lodge on the Curragh) but never quite matched his riding exploits. His best horse was probably My Kuda who won the Ulster Derby in 1966 and was third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

  'Over the years I have seen many riders but in my opinion very few finer or more stylish than Aubrey' - Vincent O'Brien's words said it all. He began to ride for O'Brien shortly after the legendary handler started training and rode the stable's first hurdle and chase winners, Wren Boy at Limerick Junction in October 1944 and Panay at Thurles the following June.

  Rode on the Flat for Jack Rogers and Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast, and for a time was first jockey to the late Aly Khan. Was a former director of the Curragh Bloodstock Agency and in 1983 was made an honorary member of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. Was also president of the County Kildare Motor Club, a sport he had a passionate interest in. 

  His father, Cecil, was an accomplished trainer (after riding as an amateur for 14 years), landing three Irish Grand Nationals with Bohemore (1921), Pontet (1937) and Jack Chaucer (1940) as well as a Galway Plate with St Martin (1941) and an Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish St Leger with Beau Sabreur (1948). The colt went on to land the Coronation Cup at Epsom in 1949.

  Daughter Sally married Bunny Cox while son Richard runs his own livery business based at Rangers Lodge.

  Aubrey died September 30th 1996, aged 76.

​​

T P BURNS
Born: 1924-2018

WAS AN accomplished National Hunt jockey as well as a top-class Flat jockey (rode six Irish Classic winners as well as one British, see leading jockeys in Flat section). His record over hurdles was formidable. Between 1954 and 1959, he rode nine Cheltenham Festival winners, including seven divisions of Cheltenham's Gloucestershire Hurdle (now Supreme Novices' Hurdle), all for Vincent O'Brien. It speaks volumes that the greatest trainer of all-time entrusted him to land some of the greatest gambling coups ever seen at the Cheltenham Festival. The winners were Lucky Dome (1954 Spa Hurdle), Ahaburn (1955 Birdlip Hurdle), and seven divisions of the Gloucestershire Hurdle on Illyric (1955), Boys Hurrah and Pelargos (1956), Saffron Tartan (1957), Admiral Stuart and Prudent King (1958), York Fair (1959). He was later to become assistant trainer to O'Brien and Dermot Weld. He died in 2018 aged 94. Won on Arkle in the Donoughmore Plate (1m 6f) at Navan in 1963. Son James is a successful trainer based at the Curragh.

​​

JOE BYRNE

Born: Co Dublin, 1954-2018

A NATIVE of Newcastle Co Dublin, Joe Byrne was champion jump jockey in 1979 with 48 winners. He was one of only seven riders to complete the Galway Plate/Galway Hurdle double in the same year in 1984, partnering the Tom Bergin-trained Master Player in the Plate and then teaming up with Bill Durkan to land the Hurdle on Tara Lee. No one has managed the feat since, and he was emulating Charlie Donnelly (1925), Don Butchers (1938), Danny Morgan (1945), Tim Molony (1948), Frankie McKenna (1950) and Jonjo O'Neill (1979).

  His big-race hurdle wins also included the 1980 Benson & Hedges at Fairyhouse on Going Straight for Jeremy Maxwell. He relished his Cheltenham Festival success on Churchfield Boy for Michael Cunningham in the 1983 Grand Annual which came three years after his involvememt in the bitter controversy at the festival following a short head defeat on the Noel Meade-trained Batista in the 1980 Triumph Hurdle won by Heighlin. Referred to Portman Square for excessive and improper use of the whip, he was subsequently banned for three months.

  He rode Greasepaint to win the 1981 Troytown Chase for Michael Cunningham and won the Troytown for a second time in 1983 on the Bunny Cox-trained Sicilian Answer, whom he also partnered to win the Leopardstown Chase the following year. Other good victories came on Another Brownie, Fane Ranger, Triggerero, Bective Road and Batista, and he provided Noel Meade's with his first winner, Tu Va (1972), whom the trainer named his stables in Castletown, Co Meath after.

  Started training in the late 1980s but continued to ride, partnering Crowded House to win the Denny Juvenile Hurdle in 1991 for trainer Barry Kelly. After some early success as a trainer, he handed in his licence in 2003. He was 64 when he died in 2018.

​

PAUL CARBERRY
Born: 1974

THE SON of one of Ireland's finest jockeys, Tommy, and the maternal grandson of a training legend, Dan Moore, Paul Carberry was born to be a jump jockey. Established himself as a top-flight rider over fences after wins in the Aintree (1999) and Irish (1998) Grand Nationals on his father's Bobbyjo.

  His three-year association with Robert Ogden-owned horses in England produced numerous winners. However, he returned home to build up an excellent partnership with Noel Meade, providing the Navan trainer with his first Cheltenham Festival winner on Sausalito Bay (2000 Supreme Novices' Hurdle). Two more were to follow for the partnership on Nicanor (2006 SunAlliance Hurdle) and Go Native (2009 Supreme Novices' Hurdle). Rhythm Section gave him his first festival winner in 1993) and in total he rode 14 winners at the iconic meeting, including Unguided Missile (1998) Looks Like Trouble (1999); Frenchman's Creek (2002); Fota Island (2005); Oulart (2005); Hairy Molly (2006), Crack Away Jack (2008), Bellvano (2012), Solwhit (2013) and Very Wood (2014).
  Was apprentice champion on the Flat in 1993 and lifted his first jumps title in 2001-2002, riding 110 winners, and his second the following season (108 winners). An excellent judge of pace and an accomplished stylist, other highlights were several Grade One victories on top-class performers Harchibald (winner of two Fighting Fifth Hurdles 2004 and 2007, two Christmas Hurdle 2004 and 2008 and the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle), Limestone Lad, Beef Or Salmon, Solerina, Harbour Pilot, Florida Pearl. He won a total of 39 Grade One races in a remarkable career. Announced his retirement from the saddle in 2016. 

  Younger siblings Philip and Nina were also successful jump jockeys. Philip, who retired from race-riding in 2017, rode over 300 winners, including a Champion Hurdle on Sublimity (2007), an Irish Grand National on Point Barrow (2006) and two Grand Steeplechase de Paris on Princess D'Anjou (2006 and 2008). He now assists wife Louisa with their training operation in France, winning two Grand Steeplechase de Paris with Docteur De Ballon (2020 and 2021).

​

NINA CARBERRY

Born: Co Meath, 1984

NINA CARBERRY made a rapid rise over a short period of time from promising young amateur to being hailed as perhaps the best female rider in jump racing history until the emergence of Rachael Blackmore. Became the first female rider to win the Irish Grand National since Ann Ferris on Bentom Boy in 1984 when Organisedconfusion, trained by her uncle Arthur Moore, romped home in the 2011 Easter Monday Fairyhouse marathon, joining brothers Paul and Philip in winning the prestigious handicap, and completing a clean sweep for the Carberry clan as father Tommy had won the race as a jockey and trainer.
  Her father (see below) was one of the giants of the jumping game himself and there was no prouder man than him when Nina became the first woman since Gee Armytage to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival against professional jockeys for 18 years when partnering Dabiroun to victory in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle in 2005. Followed that with another Festival victory on Heads Onthe Ground in the BGC Cross Country Chase in 2007, Garde Champetre's win in the Cross Country Chase in 2008 and 2009, On The Fringe (2015 Foxhunter Chase), Josies Orders (2016 Cross Country Chase) and On The Fringe (2016 Foxhunter Chase), making her the second most successful female jockey in Festival history with seven wins behind Blackmore (14).
  At the time, Nina was one of an elite band of female riders to complete the course in the history of the Grand National, finishing ninth on Forest Gunner behind Numbersixvalverde in the world's most famous chase in 2006. She rode in the Aintree race six times, her seventh on Character Building the best effort. Of course those trail-blazing achievements were put in the shade by Katie Walsh (third on Seabass in 2012) and Blackmore who created history by becoming the first woman to win the Grand National on Minella Times in 2021. On The Fringe gave her another important win in the 2015 Aintree Foxhunters' Chase. 
  Father and daughter teamed up for a famous win with Penny Hall in the 2006 Cork Grand National while her association with Navan trainer Noel Meade yielded many winners and saw her lift two Leading Qualified Riders' titles in the 2006-2007 (30 winners) and 2005-2006 (38 winners) seasons. Hung up her boots after victory on Josie Orders at Punchestown in 2018. In all she rode 398 winners in Ireland (jumps and flat), 23 in the UK and two in Germany.

  Married Ted Walsh junior in 2012, the son of trainer Ted Walsh and brother of Ruby. After her retirement she went on to win the hit TV show Dancing With the Stars in 2022. She also appeared as a coach on the popular RTE sports show, Ireland's Fittest Family. Was elected as a member of the European parliament (MEP) in 2024, representing the Fine Gael party in the Midlands-North-West constituency.

​

TOMMY CARBERRY

Born: 1941-2017

ONE OF the outstanding National Hunt jockeys of the 60s and 70s, Tommy Carberry won two Cheltenham Gold Cups and a Grand National on L'Escargot and also won the Gold Cup on Ten Up. Was deprived of a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup when Tied Cottage was disqualified after the 1980 running of the race, failing a dope test due to contaminated feed. Rode his first winner (Tripacer) over jumps at the 1962 Cheltenham Festival meeting, where he partnered 16 winners.
  The former four-time Irish champion national hunt jockey enjoyed two Irish Grand National wins on Brown Lad (1975-76), trained by Jim Dreaper, who along with the legendary Dan Moore (Carberry's father-in-law) provided many of his big-race triumphs. Won the second running of South Carolina's Colonial Cup on Inkslinger in 1971. Flying Wild gave him victory in the 1964 running of the Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup, with the legendary chaser Arkle back in third place. 
  Proof of his all round talents - he was a champion apprentice in 1959 - came in 1979 when he partnered the Vincent O'Brien-trained Fordham to victory in the Seamus McGrath Memorial Stakes (now Irish Champion Stakes). Other big-race wins on the flat came on Hurry Harriet in the 1975 Whitehall Stakes and Just A Game in the 1978 Beresford Stakes. Apprenticed to Jimmy Lenehan, he rode his first winner on Ben Beoch at the Curragh in 1958. Was forced to hang up his boots in 1982 after a fall from a two-year-old at Listowel. His record in Ireland's big jump races was second to none, including victory in the Galway Plate on Leap Frog (1973) and a Galway Hurdle success on Tripacer (1962). Rode 86 winners in Ireland in 1976, including 71 over jumps.
  Trained Bobbyjo to win both the Irish Grand National (1998) and the Aintree Grand National (1999), partnered by his equally talented son, Paul, on both occasions. His last winner was Blaze Of Fire at Wexford in 2012. Daughter Nina rode seven winners at the Cheltenham Festival and an Irish Grand National on Organisedconfusion, trained by her uncle, Arthur Moore. Father and daughter teamed up to land the 2006 Cork Grand National with Penny Hall.
  Another son, Philip, won the 2006 Irish Grand National on Point Barrow and the 2007 Champion Hurdle on Sublimity, while Nina (Forest Gunner) and Paul (Sir OJ) became the first sister and brother to ride in the Aintree Grand National in 2006. Another son Peter is also a jump jockey. He died in 2017, aged 75.

​

CARBERRY'S 16 FESTIVAL WINNERS
 3 Gold Cups (1970, 71 L'Escargot and 1975 Ten Up)
 2 Arkle Trophy Chases (1980 Anaglogs Daughter and 1982 The Brockshee)
 2 Stayers' Hurdles (1975 Brown Lad and 1977 Town Ship)
 2 Cathcart Chases (1966 Flying Wild and 1973 Inkslinger)
 2 Royal & SunAlliance Chases (1974 Ten Up and 1976 Tied Cottage)
 2 Supreme Novices' Hurdles (1962 Tripacer and 1968 L'Escargot)
 Queen Mother Chase (1973 Inkslinger)
 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (1963 Bahrain)
 Triumph Hurdle (1977 Meladon).

​​

TOMMY CARMODY

Born: Limerick 1956

ONE OF the great jump jockeys of the modern era, Tommy Carmody launched his National Hunt career with a flourish, winning on his first two rides - Mr Kildare (Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle) and Hilly Way (Champion Chase) - at the Cheltenham Festival in 1978. Those successes led to a job with the powerful Dickinson stable in England, which yielded many big-race winners including three King George V1 Chases on Gay Spartan and Silver Buck (twice). He twice finished runner-up in the British jockeys' championship, to John Francome (1978-79) and Jonjo O'Neill (1979-80).
  The three-time apprentice champion - he failed by only a short head to win the 1977 Irish Oaks on Sassabunda - returned home in 1981 and was champion jumps jockey in 1985 and 1988, riding some notable winners for trainer John Mulhern, including two consecutive wins in the Stayers' Hurdle on Galmoy (1988 and 87). He retired on medical advice in 1992 after a crashing fall at Naas with seven Cheltenham Festival winners to his credit, including two on Buck House (1986 Champion Chase and 1983 Supreme Novices' Hurdle) and a Supreme Novices' Hurdle on Slaney Idol (1980). Trained at the Curragh in stables rented from jockey Johnny Murtagh and enjoyed his biggest win when Royal Diamond landed the 2012 Irish St Leger.

​​

MR JAMIE CODD

Born: Co Wexford

ONE OF finest amateur riders of his generation, James John Codd is the second winning-most Irish point-to-point rider in the history of the sport, having won 972 races before announcing his retirement from riding between the flags - but not under rules - in 2021. He is the only modern-day rider to ride all six winners on one card at Tinahely, a feat also achieved by John Berry (1988) and Bill McLernon (1959).

  Was crowned amateur jockey for the first time in 2016-2017, pipping his great rival Patrick Mullins by one after riding 41 winners. But it's his record of partnering 10 Cheltenham Festival winners that marked him out as the go-to rider for the top amateur races. It was in 2009 that he rode his first Cheltenham winner for Yorkshire handler John Quinn on 16/1 shot Character Building in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase, displaying the ice-cool waiting tactics he has become famed for. The Codd/Quinn partnership struck again at a very different venue when they won the Epsom 'Derby' for amateur riders with the well-backed favourite Hubertas in 2016.

  His reputation as a stealthy assassin - perhaps cemented when bringing Cause Of Causes from last to first in the 2016 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir - earned him the nickname The Coddfather. Another big win came in the 2016 Aintree Foxhunters' Chase on the Enda Bolger-trained On The Fringe. Other Grade One victories were on Colreevy, Fayonagh and Shaneshill. Finished second on Cause Of Causes behind One For Arthur in the 2017 Aintree Grand National. Rode his first winner on the Willie Mullins-trained Killultagh Thunder at Leopardstown in 2001.

  Joined Tattersalls Ireland as part of their inspection bloodstock team.

​

CODD'S 10 FESTIVAL WINNERS  

 Champion Bumper: Fayonagh (2017), Envoi Allen (2019)

 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup: Character Building (2009), Junior (2011), The Package (2015), Cause Of Causes (2016)

 National Hunt Chase: Cause Of Causes (2015), Le Breuil (2019), Ravenhill (2020)

 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase: Cause Of Causes (2017).

​

BOBBY COONAN
Born: 1939-2007

SEVEN-TIME Irish Champion jump jockey (he shared the 1963 title with Tony Redmond, Pat Taaffe and Francis Shortt), Bobby Coonan had his biggest win in the 1974 King George V1 Chase on Captain Christy. Was associated mainly with the great Paddy Sleator, succeeding Bobby Beasley as first jockey at Grange Con. Rode Sweet Dreams to win the Irish Grand National (1969) as well as three Galway Plates (all for Sleator) on Royal Day (twice, 1967 and 1969) and O'Leary (1976).

  Ballywilliam Boy gave him his sole victory at the Cheltenham Festival in the Gloucestershire Hurdle (now the Supreme Novices' Hurdle) in 1970. Another big-race win came on the Francis Flood-trained Glencaraig Lady (1970 SGB Chase) at Ascot. Prominent King was his last big-race success in the Erin Foods Champion Hurdle (now the Irish Champion Hurdle) in 1978. A few months later he retired after a horrific fall at Killarney. Went on to train but enjoyed limited success. He died on March 2nd, 2007, aged 67. His uncle, Peter Coonan, bred the 1964 Grand National winner Team Spirit. Nephew Andrew Coonan, a solicitor, rode as an amateur jockey.

​

BRYAN COOPER

Born: Co Kerry, 1992

A BRILLIANT jockey and a natural horseman, Bryan Cooper rode the Gordon Elliott-trained Don Cossack to victory in the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup but announced his retirement in 2023 at the age of 30 after a 14-year career riddled with its fair share of injuries. A son of dual Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Tom Cooper, he burst onto the Irish National Hunt scene in the 2011-2012 season when he was crowned champion conditional jockey with a record tally of 37 winners.

  It was at the 2013 Festival that he showcased his precocious talent with three winners on the Dessie Hughes-trained Our Conor (Triumph Hurdle), Ted Veale (County Handicap Hurdle) and Benefficient (Golden Miller Novices' Chase). The following year he was hired as Gigginstown Stud's retained rider, replacing Davy Russell. He rode two winners at the 2017 Festival - Apple's Jade in the mares' hurdle and Road To Respect in the Brown Advisory Handicap Chase. His three other wins came on Don Poli (2015 RSA Novices' Chase), Empire Of Dirt (2016 Brown Advisory Handicap Chase) and Mrs Milner (2021 Pertemps Final). A Tralee native, he rode his first winner for his father on Rossdara in 2009. He retired having ridden 532 winners over jumps and one on the flat, 36 of those jump winners were in Grade One races, including a Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Identity Thief (2015) and a Betway Bowl on First Lieutenant (2013).

  His last winner was Wa Wa at Leopardstown on March 6th. 2023.

​

Mr BUNNY COX

Born: 1924-2006

ONE OF Ireland's all-time great amateur riders (champion in 1944, 1945, 1952, 1956 and again in 1958 when he shared the title with Francis Flood), Bunny Cox (Mr John Richard) was twice second in the Champion Hurdle on Quita Que and won both the Champion Chase and Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on the same horse. Other Festival winners came in the National Hunt Chase on Dan Moore's Pontage and in the same race on subsequent Grand National winner Quare Times, trained by Vincent O'Brien.

  He had few peers at Punchestown where he had a tremendous strike-rate. In 1940, aged only 15, he won the Troytown Chase on Drumbilla, owned and trained by his father, John. He twice won the Conyngham Cup on Loyal Antrim (1949) and Little Trix, trained by his father, in 1951. On the Flat he twice won the big amateur riders' handicap at the Galway Festival on Old Mull (1961) and Maigret (1963).

  Took over his father's licence in 1970 and enjoyed considerable success with such useful performers as Highway View  (winner of the Galway Hurdle and Leopardstown Chase), Fort Fox (winner of the John Jameson Gold Cup and what is now the Paddy Power Handicap Chase), Fortune Seeker (winner of the 1983 Leopardstown Chase), Sicilian Answer (winner of the 1983 Troytown Chase and the Leopardstown Chase in 1984) and Atone (winner of the Ladbroke Hurdle in 1984). Wife, Sally, is a daughter of the late Aubrey Brabazon, another legendary National Hunt jockey of the 20th century. He died in January 2006, aged 81. His daughter, Suzanne, was a former point-to-point champion before turning her attentions to training.

​

ANN FERRIS

THE CHAMPION point-to-point rider created history by becoming the first female jockey to win the Irish Grand National on Bentom Boy in 1984, trained by her father and legendary point-to-point jockey Willie Rooney (riding 401 winners). On a great day for the family, her late sister Rosemary finished third on Dawson Prince in the same race. Ann was champion point-to-point rider in 1976 with 23 winners and won the Irish Sweeps Hurdle for trainer Arthur Moore on Irian in 1979. Riding between flags in an era with significantly fewer fixtures, she rode a total of 94 winners between 1960 and 1984, and alongside Rosemary - who won 101 races between 1966 and 1999 - the pair were trailblazers in a sport dominated by males. Rosemary died on holidays in Australia in 1999 and Ann passed away in 2022.

​

MR JOHN FOWLER

Born: Co Meath, 1946-2008

ONE OF the finest amateur jockeys Ireland has ever produced, John Fowler rode 260 winners under rules, including two National Hunt Chases (Gay Trip 1978 and Arctic Ale 1979) at the Cheltenham Festival, and an Irish Champion Hurdle on Super Day in 1972, trained by Peggy St John Nolan. Artic Ale also credited him with a win in the Topham Chase at Aintree in 1979. He also enjoyed huge success in the point-to-point fields.

  Embarked on a training career, taking over from his father Brig Bryan Fowler who had inherited Rahinston Stud and farm in Co Meath from his uncle Harry. Along with wife Chich, they enjoyed considerable success that saw the yard land several big-race winners with the outstanding mares Maid Of Money and Opera Hat. Ridden by the late Anthony Powell, Maid Of Money gave him his biggest success in the Irish Grand National in 1989 at his local Fairyhouse track. She also gained significant wins in the John Durkan Memorial Chase (1989) and two Savill Chases in 1988 and 1989.

  Opera Hat reeled off 15 victories in the 1990s, including a Grade One win in the Mumm Melling Chase at Aintree in 1998. Other familiar names to have recorded important successes for the Summerhill stables were Bankers Benefit, Credit Card, Bishopstone, Cape Spy, Speedy Thatch and Royal Dipper.

  He was tragically killed, aged 62, in a freak accident on the farm in 2008, with Chich taking over the licence with some success until her death in 2013. Son Harry and wife Lorna continue to run a successful training facility and stud farm from Rahinston. John's sister, Jessica Harrington, is one of the leading trainers in Ireland, both on the Flat and over jumps.

​

BARRY GERAGHTY
Born:  Co Meath,1979

BARRY GERAGHTY was a giant of the sport and only three jump jockeys (Tony McCoy, Richard Johnson and Ruby Walsh) have ever won more races in their careers. He partnered 1,920 winners in Ireland and the UK, including 43 at the Cheltenham Festival (two Gold Cups on Kicking King and Bobs Worth and four Champion Hurdles on Punjabi, Jezki, Buveur d'Air and Epatante), a Grand National triumph on Monty's Pass and two King George Vl Chases on Kicking King.

  The Meath man has racing in his blood. His father "Tucker" was an amateur rider and trainer while two of his five siblings, brothers Ross (winner of the 2002 Irish Grand National on The Bunny Boiler) and Norman (now a farrier) were also jockeys. Amateur rider Jill rode her first winner (What Odds, trained by her father) over fences at the 2008 Fairyhouse Easter Festival meeting, another sister Sasha is editor of the Horse World section of the Irish Field and his grandfather Laurence bred Golden Miller, still the only horse to win the Gold Cup and Grand National in the same year.
  After a background in pony racing, he began his apprenticeship with Noel Meade and had his first success aboard Stagalier at Down Royal on January 29th, 1997. He was Irish champion in 1999/2000 (with 84 winners) and bagged his second title in the 2003-2004 season with his first century of winners (110), the same year he became the first jockey to be named RTE Sports Personality of the year. 
  Rode his first winner at the mecca of national hunt racing on Moscow Flyer (2002 Arkle Trophy Chase), the Jessica Harrington-trained horse that was to launch his career onto a new level. Went on to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Moscow Flyer in 2003 to cap a remarkable festival, finishing top jockey with five winners (equalling the record held jointly by Fred Winter, Jamie Osborne and Tony McCoy). It was subsequently broken by Ruby Walsh with seven winners in both 2009 and 2016. Better was to follow less than a month later when he partnered Monty's Pass to Grand National glory, arguably the greatest moment in his 24-year riding career.
  Brought his festival tally to nine with a remarkable double on Kicking King (whom he had earlier partnered to a King George V1 Chase success) in the Gold Cup and Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2005. Completed back-to-back wins in the King George on Kicking King in 2005.
  Took over from Mick Fitzgerald as Nicky Henderson's first jockey in the summer of 2008 after a chance ride on the Henderson-trained Punjabi in the 2008 Champion Hurdle (finishing third at 33/1). His victory on Punjabi in the same race 12 months later saw him equalling Richard Johnson's achievement of being the only jockey currently riding to have won all four championship races (Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers' Hurdle and Gold Cup). Ruby Walsh and Paul Townend would join them on the roll of honour.

  Finished top jockey at the festival in 2012 with five winners (Sprinter Sacre, Simonsig, Bobs Worth, Finian's Rainbow Riverside Theatre). His win on Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following season gave him a fifth success in the two-mile championship race, equalling Pat Taaffe's long-standing record. His 29th winner at the festival, Jezki in the 2014 Champion Hurdle, probably gave him the most satisfaction as it was for Harrington, who he had been riding winners for since he was 17.  He equalled his 2003 and 2012 tally of five winners in 2020 (on only 11 rides) but lost out on the leading jockey gong to Paul Townend to a better runner-up count.

  Landed the top job in jump racing, replacing Tony McCoy as JP McManus's retained jockey in 2017 and the partnership was to enjoy two Champion Hurdle victories with Buveur d'Air (2018) and Epatante (2020). In fact three of his Champion Hurdle winners were owned by McManus, Jezki included. His four other festival victories in 2020 were also for the legendary owner. He is the second most successful jockey of all time at the Cheltenham Festival, riding 43 winners (see below) over a 19-year period from 2002-2020. He was ruled out of the 2017 renewal after a fall at Kempton left him with a collapsed lung and six broken ribs.
  Joined an elite band of jockeys to have ridden 1,000 winners when scoring on Duc De Regniere at Kempton in November, 2009. Other big-race successes in England included four Tingle Creeks (Moscow Flyer 2003 and 2004, Sprinter Sacre 2012 and Defi Du Seuil 2019), three Fighting Fifth Hurdles (Punjabi 2008, Buveur d'Air 2017 and 2018); two Long Walk Hurdles (Punchestowns 2008 and Unowhatimeanharry 2016); three Sefton Novices' Hurdles (Sackville 2000, Iris's Gift 2003 and Beat That 2014); four Melling Chases (Moscow Flyer 2004 and 2005, Finian's Rainbow 2012 and Sprinter Sacre 2013); three Aintree Hurdles (Oscar Whisky 2011 and 2012 and Buveur d'Air 2017); three Ascot Chases (Monet's Garden 2010, Riverside Theatre, 2011 and 2012); Betway Bowl (Florida Pearl 2002); two Celebration chases (Cenkos, 2002 and 2004); Challow Novices' Hurdle (Champ 2019); three Christmas Hurdles (Yanworth 2016, Buveur d'Air 2017 and Epatante 2020); two Clarence House Chases (Sprinter Sacre 2013 and Defi Du Seuil 2020); Henry Vlll Novices' Chase (Captain Conan 2012); two Liverpool Hurdles (Iris's Gift 2004 and Whisper 2014); two Maghull Novices' Chases (Finian's Rainbow 2011 and Sprinter Sacre 2012); two Manifesto Novices' Chases (Mad Max 2010 and Captain Conan 2013); two Mersey Novices' Hurdles (Spirit Son 2012 and Simonsig 2012); two Mildmay Novices' Chases (Star de Mohaison 2006 and Burton Port 2010);  four Scilly Isles ovices' Chases (Punchestowns 2010, Captain Conan 2013, Oscar Whisky 2014, Defi Du Seuil 2019); three Tolworth Hurdles (Minella Class 2011, Captain Conan 2012 and L'ami Serge 2015); two Top Novices' Hurdles (General Miller 2010 and Josses Hill 2014).

  His big-race winners in Ireland make for equally-impressive reading, highlighted by an Irish Gold Cup victory on Alexander Banquet (2002), an Irish Champion Hurdle (Macs Joy 2005), two Punchestown Champion Chases (Moscow Flyer 2004 and Big Zeb 2011); five Punchestown Gold Cups (Moscow Express 2001, Florida Pearl 2002, Kicking King 2005, China rock 2012 and Carlingford Lough 2016); three Punchestown Champion Hurdles (Moscow Flyer 2001, Macs Joy 2006 and Punjabi 2008); two Christmas Hurdles (Sacundai 2003 and Emotional Moment 2004); Hatton's Grace Hurdle (Limestone Lad 2002).

  He retired from race-riding in July 2020, four months after those five Festival winners. As well as buying and selling horses back home in Co Meath, he rides out once or twice a week for local trainer Gordon Elliott. Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth and Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill are just two equine stars purchased and sold on by him. He is regularly spotted alongside Ted and Ruby Walsh as a guest pundit on RTE racing.
 
GERAGHTY'S 43 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WINNERS
 2002: Moscow Flyer (Arkle Chase)
 2003: Youlneverwalkalone (National Hunt Handicap Chase)
 2003: Inching Closer (Pertemps Hurdle)
 2003: Moscow Flyer (Queen Mother Champion Chase)
 2003: Spectroscope (Triumph Hurdle)
 2003: Spirit Leader (County Hurdle)
 2004: Iris's Gift (Stayers' Hurdle)
 2005: Moscow Flyer (Queen Mother Champion Chase)
 2005: Kicking King (Gold Cup)
 2006: Star De Mohaison (SunAlliance Chase)
 2006: Sky's The Limit (Coral Cup)
 2007: Cork All Star (Bumper)
 2008: Finger Onthe Pulse (Jewson Novices' Chase)
 2009: Forpadydeplasterer (Arkle Chase) 
 2009: Punjabi (Champion Hurdle)
 2009: Zaynar (Triumph Hurdle)
 2010: Big Zeb (Queen Mother Champion Chase)
 2010: Spirit River (Coral Cup)
 2010: Soldatino (Triumph Hurdle)
 2011: Bobs Worth (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle)
 2012: Sprinter Sacre (Arkle Chase)
 2012: Simonsig (Neptune Novices' Hurdle)
 2012: Bobs Worth (RSA Chase)
 2012: Finian's Rainbow (Queen Mother Champion Chase)
 2012: Riverside Theatre (Ryanair Chase)
 2013: Simonsig (Arkle Chase)
 2013: Sprinter Sacre (Queen Mother Champion Chase)
 2013: Bobs Worth (Gold Cup)

 2014: Jezki (Champion Hurdle)

 2014: O'Faolain's Boy (RSA Chase)

 2014: More Of That (Stayers' Hurdle)

 2015: The Druids Nephew (Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Hurdle)

 2015: Peace and Co (Triumph Hurdle)

 2016: Ivanovich Gorbatov (Triumph Hurdle)

 2018: Buveur d'Air (Champion Hurdle)

 2018: Le Prezien (Grand Annual Chase)

 2019: Defi De Seuil (JLT Novices' Chase)

 2019: Sire De Berlais (Pertemps Hurdle)

 2020: Epatante (Champion Hurdle)

 2020: Champ (RSA Chase)

 2020: Dame De Compagnie (Coral Cup)

 2020: Sire Du Berlais (Pertemps Hurdle)

 2020: Saint Roi (County Handicap Hurdle).

​​

DESSIE HUGHES

Born: 1943-2014

WON JUST about everything as a jockey except the Grand National, including the Champion Hurdle (Monksfield 1979), the Gold Cup (Davy Lad 1977) two Arkles (Tip The Wink 1977 and Chinrullah 1980), two Sun Alliance Hurdles (Davy Lad 1975 and Parkhill 1976), a Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Mac's Chariot 1977) and a Stayers' Hurdle (Bit Of A Jig 1976). Won a Champion Chase by 25 lengths on Chinrullah but the horse was subsequently disqualified due to contaminated feed. 
  Three Aintree Hurdle winners on Monksfield, as well as a Welsh Champion Hurdle, were other highlights of an exceptional riding career. Struck up a successful partnership with trainer Mick O'Toole both as a rider and assistant trainer (1966-79) before launching his own training career which hit its high point with the dual success of Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle (2004 and 2005) at the Cheltenham Festival.
  Was leading Irish jumps trainer in 1981 and 1983 and enjoyed his first festival winner with Miller Hill in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1982). He had to wait 21 years for his second when Hardy Eustace landed the SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle in 2003 under Kieran Kelly, who was tragically killed later that year after a fall at Kilbeggan. Further Festival honours were secured with Oulart in the Pertemps Hurdle Final (2005) and Our Conor (2013 Triumph Hurdle). Enjoyed his biggest win over the larger obstacles when Timbera landed the Irish Grand National (2003). Schindler Hunt's victories in the Baileys Arkle Cup and the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase were other highlights on the Irish National Hunt racing calendar. One of the most popular figures in Irish racing, he died in 2014, aged 71. Daughter Sally, who took over her father's training licence, trained Thunder And Roses to a hugely emotional victory in the 2015 Irish Grand National, just six months after his death. Son Richard was a three-time Champion Flat jockey in Britain. 

​​​

TIMMY HYDE

Born: 1908-1967

ONE OF the most naturally-gifted National Hunt jockeys in the 1930s and 1940s, Timothy Joseph Hyde began his career in showjumping before becoming an amateur jockey. After turning professional he enjoyed immediate success, winning the Irish Grand National in 1938 on Clare County and the Aintree Grand National on Workman In 1939, as well as steering the great Prince Regent to success in the 1942 Irish Grand National and the 1946 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Equally adept at training, he sent out Dominick's Bar to win the 1950 Irish Grand National. In 1951 at the age of 42 he suffered a fall while showjumping which left him partially paralysed. But despite being confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life he continued to train for several years. 

  Son Timmy was also an accomplished jumps jockey, partnering Kinloch Brae - trained by his uncle-in-law Willie O'Grady - to win the Cathcart Cup at the 1969 Cheltenham Festival before hanging up his boots to develop the family's world-renowned Camas Park Stud in Cashel, Co Tipperary. Acquired by his father in 1940, it is one of Europe's leading Classic and Group One yearling consignors and is jointly run by son Timmy Jr.

​​

JACK KENNEDY

Born: Co Kerry, 1999

JACK KENNEDY enjoyed by far the greatest success of his career on Minella Indo in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was a triumphant return to Presbury Park after he missed out the previous year, suffering a broken leg for the fourth time (in a race that followed his 2020 Irish Gold Cup win on Delta Work). The 21-year-old, the youngest to win the iconic race, stole the show with a power-packed ride as trainer Henry de Bromhead claimed a famous one-two, with the Dingle man outsmarting Rachael Blackmore on A Plus Tard.

  No stranger to success at Cheltenham having previously won the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, the JLT Novices’ Chase and the JCB Triumph Hurdle, this was by far the sweetest and a dream come true for the precocious talent. Winner of the Dingle Derby on Coola Boula in 2014, he burst onto the racing scene the following year and after spending some time with Tommy Stack, he moved to Gordon Elliott. The Pat Flynn-trained Funny How was his first winner under rules in a seven-furlong handicap at Cork in 2015, and he landed his first Grade One success when partnering the Gordon Elliott-trained Outlander in the Lexus Chase in 2016. It was also his 100th winner in the saddle. His first success over hurdles was on Eshtiaal at Down Royal in 2015. 

  He was just 17 when riding his first winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2017 on Elliott's outsider Labaik in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Other Festival honours came in the Stayers' Hurdle on Teahupoo (2024), the Mares’ Hurdle aboard Black Tears (2021), Mount Ida in the Kim Muir (2021), Galvin (2021 National Hunt Chase), the Ballymore on Samcro (2018) and the Triumph Hurdle on Farclas (2018).

  Many of his big-race victories have come in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, enjoying some great days on Delta Work in particular, including the Savills Chase, Irish Gold Cup and Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. Abacadabras (Morgiana Hurdle, Future Champions Novice Hurdle and Aintree Hurdle) was also a big money-spinner for him. Apple’s Jade was another prolific scorer for Gigginstown, winning fifteen of her 28 starts under rules. Her victories under the Co Kerry-born jockey included the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in 2017 and 2018 and the Irish Champion Hurdle in 2019. Also back-to-back wins in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle came on Teahupoo in 2022-2023.

  Other notable career victories came on Clondaw Warrior (2015 Guinness Handicap), Riverside City (2015 Troytown Chase), Outlander (2017 JNwine.com Champion Chase), Mengli Khan (2017 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle), Samcro (2018 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle), Dortmund Park (2018 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle), Felix Desjy (2019 Aintree's Top Novices' Hurdle), Roaring Bull (2019 Paddy Power Chase), Commander Of Fleet (2019 Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle), Ballyadam (2020 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle), Coko Beach (2021 Thyestes Chase), Quilixios (2021 Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle), Mighty Potter (2021 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, 2022 Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle and 2022 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase), Fury Road (2021 Neville Hotels Novice Chase), Hurricane George (2022 Midlands National), Conflated (2022 Savill Chase), Gerri Colombe (2023 Ladbroke Champion Chase and 2024 William Hill Bowl Chase), Found A Fifty (2023 Racing Post Novice Chase and 2024 Maghull Novices' Chase), Caldwell Potter (2023 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle), Betterdaysahead (2024 Mersey Novices' Hurdle), Brighterdaysahead (2024 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle), Ndaawi (2025 Guinness Galway Hurdle). 

  Suffered a sixth broken leg in November 2024, less than a year after breaking his leg for a fifth time in January 2023. At the time he was leading the Irish jump jockeys’ championship by 18 from Paul Townend and it saw him missing a second Cheltenham Festival. Rode his 500th career winner on the Elliott-trained Yeats Star at Downpatrick in 2023. Was finally crowned champion jump jockey for the first time after a titanic struggle with Townend in 2024, riding over 100 winners in a season for the first time - his final tally was 123 - and partnering multiple domestic Grade One winners on Gerri Colombe, Teahupoo, Farren Glory, Found A Fifty, Caldwell Potter and Irish Point.

​​​​

KENNEDY’S 11 FESTIVAL WINNERS

 2017 Labaik (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle)

 2018 Samcro (Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle)

 2018 Farclas (Triumph Hurdle)

 2018 Veneer Of Charm (Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle)

 2018 Shattered Love (Golden Miller Novices’ Chase)

 2021 Mount Ida (Fulke Welwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup)

 2021 Minella Indo (Gold Cup)

 2021 Black Tears (David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle)

 2021 Galvin (National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup)

 2022 Delta Work (Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase)

 2024 Teahupoo (Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle)

​

TOMMY KINANE

Born: Co Tipperary, 1933-2023

THE SEVENTH son of 14 children, Tommy Kinane hailed from a family steeped in National Hunt racing. Will probably be best remembered for partnering the tough-as-teak Monksfield, trained by Des McDonogh, to victory in the first of his two Champion Hurdle wins at the Cheltenham Festival in 1978 at the age of 44. He was later jocked off Monksfield in favour of Dessie Hughes but his victory will always be fondly recalled by the Co Tipperary native as the first Irish winner of the race since Winning Fair in 1963.

  Rode two other winners at the Festival - McDonogh's Stranfield in the 1979 Waterford Crystal Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Billy Boyers-trained Kilcoleman in the County Handicap Hurdle in 1977, and finished twice runner-up on Monksfield in the 1976 Daily Express Triumph Hurdle and the 1977 Champion Hurdle behind Night Nurse. 

  Won a Thyestes Chase on Kintai (1978), two consecutive Kerry Nationals on Pearl Of Montreal (1973) and Irishman (1974) and a Troytown Handicap Chase on Cottage King (1974), as well as a Castlemartin Stud Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase on Great Dane, a Downshire Handicap Hurdle on Tuney (1969), two runnings of the Oliver Freaney Dan Moore Handicap Chase on Donicum (1972) and Artistic Prince (1977), and two Grand National Trials at Punchestown aboard Doonbeg (1973) and The Vintner (1979). Also landed a Bisquit Cognac Handicap Hurdle on Monksfield in 1976 at Fairyhouse. Rode his first winner on Trade Union for his brother Danny - who was also a top jumps jockey along with another brother Christy - in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in 1958. Quit race-riding in 1980 and two years later enjoyed his biggest success as a trainer with Smoke Charger in the PZ Mower Chase at Thurles. He died in October 2023, aged 90. His son, Michael, was a world-class jockey who rode 14 Irish Classic winners before retiring in 2009. 

​​

ANDREW LYNCH

Born: Co Meath, 1988

FOUR-TIME Cheltenham-winning jockey Andrew Lynch was forced to bring his riding career to a close in 2020 following a shoulder injury suffered at Leopardstown in Februay 2019. He rode 20 Grade One winners and partnered star two-miler Sizing Europe to victory on 15 occasions. Lynch made his debut as an amateur in a Fairyhouse bumper in April, 2001, and enjoyed his first success 13 months later when the Al O'Connell-trained Tristernagh landed a novice hurdle at Downpatrick. But he struggled for winners over the next two years before a more productive 2004/05 campaign persuaded him to turn professional at the end of July, 2005.
  Recorded a first Grade One success when scoring on the Jim Dreaper-trained Notre Pere in the Knight Frank Ganly Walters Novice Chase at Leopardstown in 2007. He posted a first big-race success in Britain in 2006 when he partnered the Ado McGuinness-trained Victram to success in the Imperial Cup at Sandown and he was also on board Notre Pere when he triumphed in the 2008 Welsh National at Chepstow and the 2009 Punchestown Gold Cup. Other Grade 1 wins came on Flemenstar (2012 Arkle Novice Chase, 2012 Ryanair Gold Cup, 2012 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase and 2015 Paddy's Reward Club Chase), Hisaabaat (2012 Spring Juvenile Hurdle and Champion Four Year Old Hurdle), Voler La Vedette (2011 Hatton's Grace Hurdle and 2011 Christmas Hurdle), Cash And Go (2011 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle), Rubi Light (2011 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown chase), Jadanli (2010 Powers Gold Cup), Da Valira (2006 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle). 
  Lynch enjoyed a pair of wins at the Cheltenham Festival in both 2010 and 2011, headed by the victories of Sizing Europe in the Arkle Trophy Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. His other two wins came on Berties Dream (2010 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle) and Sizing Australia (2011 Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase). Further Grade One honours on Sizing Europe came in the Tingle Creek Chase, two Punchestown Champion Chases, the Paddy's Reward Club Chase and the Racing Post Chase. Also won the Amateur Derby on Tender Falcon at Epsom in August, 2004. In total he recorded 513 winners under rules in Ireland and the UK. Alongside wife Riona, he has built up a very successful operation selling breeze up horses at their Kilbrew Stables in Co Meath.

​​

NIALL MADDEN
Born: Limerick 1958

NIALL Madden will probably always be remembered as the jump jockey associated with Golden Cygnet, one of the most talked about horses since the legendary Arkle. Vincent O'Brien described him as 'the best hurdler I've ever seen'. Known as 'Boots', he rode his first winner when he was 14 on Golden Hansel in a bumper at Limerick (1973). Five years later he was crowned amateur champion (1978).
  Opened his account at his first Cheltenham Festival when Rusty Tears landed the Cathcart Chase in 1977. A year later Golden Cygnet, the best horse he has ever ridden, set up a festival double when trouncing a top-class field in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. That year he also scored on Flame Gun in the Stayers' Hurdle - all three winners were trained by Edward O'Grady. Tragically, Golden Cygnet would suffer a fatal injury in his next outing, falling at the last in the 1978 Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr, and robbed racing of one of its most exciting recruits in years. His jockey described the horse as "a freak" and added: "I knew then that no matter how long I'd be in the game I'd never ride another like him." 
  Turned professional in 1980 and his other festival wins were on the Mick O'Toole-trained Hartstown (1981 Supreme Novices' Hurdle), the Jimmy FitzGerald-trained Canny Danny (1983 Sun Alliance Chase) and the Andrew McNamara-trained Boreen Prince (1985 Arkle Chase). Also won two Galway Plates (Shining Flame 1978 and The Lady's Master 1982) and a Norwegian Grand National on Double Wrapped. Jack Of Trumps was another successful partnership that yielded big-race victories in the Punchestown Gold Cup Chase and John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (1978 and 1979), a race he also secured for the third consecutive time with Chinrullah (1980). He also landed a Punchestown Gold Cup Chase on Over The Last (1986) and an Irish Arkle Cup Chase on Kilmakillogue (1978).

  He was forced to retire in 1990 after suffering a bad injury in a fall from Gallaher at the 1988 Punchestown Festival. Had already taken out a trainer's licence in 1980 and Sword Of Light gave him a first winner at Wexford the same year. Son Niall, known as 'Slippers', was also an amateur champion before enjoying the biggest success of his professional career with victory on the Martin Brassil-trained Numbersixvalverde in the 2006 Aintree Grand National. It was his first ride in the race. Announced his retirement from race-riding at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, 2020 after riding 391 winners in total. Another son Tom, nicknamed 'Socks', is also a jockey.

​​

​​​​