Tag Archive for: Davy Russell

Big names return to action for Leger Legends race

Tom Scudamore will don familiar colours in the ever-popular Vickers.Bet Leger Legends Classified Stakes at Doncaster on Sunday.

The one-mile event sees retired riders attempt to recreate past glories to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund and the National Horseracing College in nearby Rossington, and Scudamore, who called time on his riding career in February, will ride Ben Brookhouse’s appropriately named I Still Have Faith.

Scudamore carried the Brookhouse family silks to Cheltenham Festival glory when Western Warhorse snatched the 2014 Arkle and although his mount this weekend is not at the same level, he does head into this race with leading claims.

“He’s the highest-rated horse in this race, so I’m quite pleased to get on him,” said Scudamore.

Tom Scudamore celebrates on Western Warhorse after victory in the Arkle
Tom Scudamore celebrates on Western Warhorse after victory in the Arkle (David Davies/PA)

“I’ve had a lot of success in the Brookhouse colours over the years, so it’s quite fitting to have my last go in those colours.

“Obviously we’ve got the yard in Hereford now with young horses, so I’ve been keeping myself busy in that respect and all is good. I might not be quite at peak fitness, but we’re not far off – I haven’t let myself go too badly!”

He went on: “It’s a fantastic cause. Jack Berry is somebody we all admire so much after what he’s done and what he’s achieved over the years and it’s very fitting that he’s once again got the turn out he’s got.

“We’re all competitive people, you don’t ride as many winners as everyone has ridden to not be competitive. I’m sure there’ll be smiles to begin with but we’ll all be deadly serious once it gets going!”

Robbie Power got the perfect send-off at the Punchestown Festival in 2022, but is confident he has done enough in the interim to retain his fitness ahead of getting the leg-up on Mick Appleby’s Lion’s Dream.

Jockey Robbie Power retired at Punchestown in 2022
Jockey Robbie Power retired at Punchestown in 2022 (Brian Lawless/PA)

He said: “I’m looking forward to it. I was supposed to take part last year but unfortunately I couldn’t.

“This will be my first time riding on a racecourse since I got off Teahupoo in Punchestown in April of last year, but I’ve been busy riding work for Henry (de Bromhead) and keeping myself fit.

“It will be a fun day and it’s for a great cause. I haven’t lost the winning mentality so hopefully I get a good ride and we’ll do our best to be competitive.

“I think everyone will have the same mentality, they’ll be wanting to win, so I’m sure there’ll be no quarter given.”

Davy Russell initially hung up his boots in December last year, but after already making one retirement U-turn this year, will make a second comeback – albeit for one race – aboard David O’Meara’s Culcor.

Jockey Davy Russell celebrates winning the final Grade One of his career aboard Irish Point
Jockey Davy Russell celebrates winning the final Grade One of his career aboard Irish Point (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

The 44-year-old answered an SOS from Gordon Elliott when returning to deputise for the injured Jack Kennedy and having thought he had exited the weighing room for good following his ride on Galvin in the Grand National, was quickly persuaded to take part in this fund-raising event by fellow jumps stalwart Andrew Thornton.

Russell said: “It should be good craic anyway. I’ve been riding out a bit Gordon and I’ve a few horses and ponies at home as well, so I’ll be fit enough. The weight is a bit of an issue all right, but we’ll manage that – hopefully my boots will fit me!

“It’s a good cause to support. Andrew Thornton got hold of me in Aintree and didn’t give me much chance to think about it!”

At the other end of the scale, it was 1999 when Jamie Osborne retired from race riding and he now brings to an end a 24-year hiatus from the saddle.

Osborne will partner his own Cliffs Of Capri and although soft ground may be against his mount, he credits the race with providing him with some focus, with the fear of failure driving his pre-race fitness regime.

He said: “I have to confess, getting ready for it has probably done me the world of good. I’ve actually tried quite hard riding and going to the gym for the last six weeks. I don’t like admitting it, but I do feel better for it.

“As ever, I’m absolutely useless unless I have a goal, but I don’t know, I will probably go back to being a slob afterwards.

“There has to be some fear attached to it for motivation and the fear has always been making an absolute idiot of myself.

“Cliffs Of Capri has never been as good on soft ground as he has been on good ground, but hopefully he copes with it and it may dry out a bit before the race. If it’s tacky it will probably not be in his favour.”

Other notable names taking part include Richard Johnson (Dandy Maestro), Mattie Batchelor (Mykonos St John) and former champion jockeys on the Flat, Paul Hanagan (Biplane) and Seb Sanders (Always Fearless).



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Davy Russell confirms retirement beckons again after Aintree

Davy Russell has confirmed his temporary comeback will extend no further than Aintree’s Grand National meeting.

Russell initially announced his retirement from the saddle after riding Liberty Dance to victory at Thurles on December 18, but he was lured back into the weighing room after Gordon Elliott’s stable jockey Jack Kennedy broke his leg in January.

While emphasising it would be a short-lived return to help his long-time ally Elliott, Russell has ridden at three of the jewels of the National Hunt season, striking Grade One gold aboard the ill-fated Mighty Potter at the Dublin Racing Festival in February.

Gerri Colombe was a winner for Davy Russell on Friday
Gerri Colombe was a winner for Davy Russell on Friday (Tim Goode/PA)

He endured a luckless Cheltenham Festival, eventually standing himself down ahead of riding Conflated in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and he did not get the leg-up again in public until Thursday at Aintree.

With Grade One verdicts aboard Gerri Colombe in Friday’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase and Irish Point in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday, Russell will once again hang up his boots – this time for good – following a much more fitting finale to his illustrious career.

Russell said: “This will be my last day.

Irish Point was Davy Russell's final Grade One winner
Irish Point was Davy Russell’s final Grade One winner (David Davies/PA)

“I’m 43 years of age and Jack was waiting to take over the mantle, then unfortunately Jack got injured.

“Sam (Ewing) and Jordan (Gainford) were there, but we just felt we’d ease them in rather than just land it on them. If they had as bad a Cheltenham as I had, I’m not sure they’d have took it as well as I did. It served its purpose.

“My wife was very upset after Cheltenham. We’ve had so much success and Cheltenham just wasn’t really a happy place for me this year. I enjoyed it, but it just didn’t end up the way we would have liked.

“In between my wife and Gordon, they wanted me to end on a better note.”

Russell’s final National ride ended almost before it began, however, with Galvin unseating at the first, while Pour Les Filles – his last ever ride in the bumper that brought the National Festival to a close – finished fifth.



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Retirement may be looming, but Russell all set to go for National gold with Galvin

Davy Russell will look for the fairytale ending to his surprise comeback when he partners Galvin in the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

Coming out of a three-week retirement from the saddle, the Cheltenham Festival did not produce the storybook return that he had hoped.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest jump jockeys of the modern era, the three-time Irish champion initially announced his retirement after winning on Liberty Dance at Thurles on December 18. But he was back in action for Gordon Elliott at Fairyhouse on January 14 after luckless Jack Kennedy broke his leg for a fifth time.

However, the 43-year-old hurt his back in the run-up to the meeting and left Prestbury Park sore and dejected, standing himself down before the Gold Cup, in which he was due to ride Conflated.

The subplot also proved hurtful, with Conflated’s owner, Gigginstown House Stud boss and Ryanair owner Michael O’Leary declaring he should not have come out of retirement, prompting Russell to retort that he had “about as much respect for Michael O’Leary’s opinion as he has for mine”.

Yet Russell returned this week to answer the call for Elliott and his luck turned on Friday when Gerri Colombe gave him a dream Grade One ride with a facile success in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

Having twice landed the Grand National with Tiger Roll, he admits he may not prolong his comeback much further than the weekend, where he rides the classy nine-year-old for the Summerhill handler.

Owned by Ronnie Bartlett, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase runner-up will shoulder a mighty 11st 11lb in the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon, which gives his jockey cause for concern, even if tactics will be left to the last minute.

“Galvin is in great form and Gordon’s very pleased with him,” said Russell. “The horse has a great brain, but it’s a huge task with the weight.

“But it’s also good for Ronnie and my goal will be to get him round safe and sound. He’s very talented, but I won’t even think of a tactical plan until we’ve left the parade ring.

“I’ve put zero thought into that, I have no plans and will line up and ride it as I feel it.”

Though Russell would love to go out on a high, he knows his time in the saddle is limited and while keen to remain a big cog in the Elliott operation, he wishes to spend more time with his young family.

Davy Russell scored Grade One success with Gerri Colombe  on Friday
Davy Russell scored Grade One success with Gerri Colombe on Friday (Mike Egerton/PA)

He added: “Over the last five years I’ve really enjoyed my riding, but before Tiger Roll came along I was riding out six or even seven days a week, wasting at the same time and it was getting to me.

“Now I’m in a privileged position and having a ball. I’m playing it along as I go, and my retirement could happen at any time.”



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Gerri Colombe bounces back with Mildmay glory

Gerri Colombe put a narrow Cheltenham Festival reverse behind him with a dominant victory in the Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree under Davy Russell.

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old won two bumpers, two novices hurdles and his first three starts over fences, ensuring he was a hot favourite to maintain his unbeaten record in last month’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in the Cotswolds.

Gerri Colombe came off second-best in a titanic tussle with The Real Whacker at Cheltenham, going down by a short head, and was a 4-6 shot to reward those who kept the faith.

And anyone who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns for the duration of the extended three-mile contest, with Elliott’s charge travelling as smooth as silk for much of the way and moving ominously into the slipstream of Galia Des Liteaux early in the home straight.

Once asked to go about his business, Gerri Colombe readily extended clear and Russell saluted the crowd as his mount passed the post with seven and a half lengths in hand over the Paul Nicholls-trained Complete Unknown.

It was a notable success for the veteran rider, who called time on his glittering career in December only to return in the new year to fill in for the sidelined Jack Kennedy.

Russell endured a frustrating week at Cheltenham, standing himself down before he was due to take the ride on Elliott’s Conflated in the Gold Cup, but thrust himself back into the big-race spotlight aboard the exciting Gerri Colombe, who looks a Gold Cup horse in the making.

Of going on to Aintree, Russell said: “Gordon was the instigator. I was finished and he wasn’t happy with me finishing the way I finished. I was done, I was finished – again! And he wasn’t happy with the way the ending was and he said he wanted me to ride here.

“That’s great. All your life you’re trying to please trainers and owners, put yourself out there and let them know you’re the person for the job.

“It’s a tough sport, there are no pats on the back at all – you’re up, you’re down, you’re in, you’re out. You never get a pat on the back, you just have to keep moving on to the next day. When someone as high-profile as Gordon gives you a pat on the back or kick in the backside that you need, that’s the part of your career you have you make it work.

“I’m lucky that for the last couple of years Gordon has been behind me all the way, and his huge team of staff.”

Davy Russell celebrates Aintree success
Davy Russell celebrates Aintree success (Mike Egerton/PA)

Elliott was delighted to gain compensation for the Gerri Colombe’s Cheltenham defeat.

He said: “He’s a good horse. We were disappointed after Cheltenham. We felt he was the best horse in the race and that proved it today.

“He’s a horse to be excited about next year.”

Owner Brian Acheson felt The Real Whacker was a deserved victor last month, but is keen to see what the future holds for Gerri Colombe,

Gerri Colombe was a winner in Brian Acheson's Robcour colours
Gerri Colombe was a winner in Brian Acheson’s Robcour colours (Tim Goode/PA)

He said: “The one thing I will say, on the day at Cheltenham I felt the best horse won on the day, he jumped better than us and Sam (Twiston-Davies) got a great tune out of him.

“He’s come back and won today, let’s see where he goes from there.

“In fairness to Jordan (Gainford, jockey) at Cheltenham, he was possibly a bit intimidated by the new whip rules. He’s Jordan’s ride if Jack isn’t there and Davy retires. but I just think it possibly caught him out, but on the day at Cheltenham the best horse won, The Real Whacker is a very good horse.

“Every day is a learning day with him, he’s won eight out of nine now. I read somewhere today someone said he was unreliable, well I wouldn’t mind a few more unreliable types.

“The ground today was the same as Sandown, he doesn’t need it very soft.”

Nicholls was more than satisfied with Complete Unknown and expects him to be a stayer next term.

He said: “The track didn’t suit us that well and he was a bit flat out. But I loved the way he galloped all the way to the line. Races like the Welsh National and the Hennessy should be just the job for him next season.”



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Elliott keen on ‘one last hurrah’ at Aintree for Russell with Galvin

Gordon Elliott would love to give Davy Russell the chance of a fitting finale to his career at Aintree, with the ride on Galvin in the Randox Grand National reserved for the veteran jockey should he opt to take it.

Russell had retired from the weighing room in December, but answered an SOS from Cullentra House to return to the riding ranks when stable number one Jack Kennedy suffered a broken leg in January.

The 43-year-old was thrust straight into big-race action and scooped Grade One honours aboard Mighty Potter at the Dublin Racing Festival. But he endured a frustrating week at the Cheltenham Festival, failing to get on the scoreboard and standing himself down ahead of his intended ride on Conflated in them Gold Cup.

Elliott believes that would be the wrong way for Russell to bow out and feels Aintree is the perfect spot for the man who partnered Tiger Roll to back-to-back triumphs in the world’s most famous steeplechase to take his curtain call.

Davy Russell celebrates National glory with Tiger Roll
Davy Russell celebrates National glory with Tiger Roll (Mike Egerton/PA)

“If Galvin is there, it is Davy’s ride if he wants it,” said Elliott.

“I suppose it all depends on if Jack gets back, but Davy has been a big part of Cullentra since I started training and he’s coming to the end of his days. I wouldn’t like to see him finish up on the note he finished on at Cheltenham.

“He was sore after Cheltenham and he made the decision he didn’t feel 100 per cent right to ride in the Gold Cup. It was a big call, but that is the man he is – he would never do wrong by the horse and the owners.

“Obviously he was very sore and made the right decision not to ride on, but I would like to give him a better send-off than that. I don’t think there would be any better way for him to finish off than in the National.

Davy Russell celebrates with owner Ronnie Bartlett after winning the Savills Chase on board Galvin at Leopardstown
Davy Russell celebrates with owner Ronnie Bartlett after winning the Savills Chase on board Galvin at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

“If Jack doesn’t come back there will be plenty of other rides for him at the meeting, but I’m not 100 per cent sure what he is going to do.

“I would like to see one last hurrah for him at Aintree. It’s him and that’s the type of jockey he is – you saw at the Dublin Racing Festival, up until he got the fall that he was riding like a man in his 20s.

“I think, for Davy Russell and for the whole of horse racing, he deserves a better send-off than if he finished at Cheltenham.”

As well as Kennedy and Russell’s injury absence, Elliott’s other regular pilots Jordan Gainford and Sam Ewing have also been on the sidelines, with the latter suffering a broken arm last month.

Trainer Gordon Elliott could run up to six in the Randox Grand National at Aintree
Trainer Gordon Elliott could run up to six in the Randox Grand National at Aintree (Mike Egerton/PA)

However, the trainer is not worrying about jockey plans for Aintree, where he could have six runners in the big race itself.

He said: “Jack Kennedy is number one jockey here and I would hope we have him back.

“If we don’t have him back, we will work from the top down and use the best available. That’s where we are.”

Elliott’s National squad is spearheaded by last year’s third Delta Work, while Galvin will also head to Merseyside with leading claims following his pleasing reappearance behind his stablemate in the cross-country at Cheltenham.

Delta Work at Gordon Elliott's yard on Wednesday morning
Delta Work at Gordon Elliott’s yard on Wednesday morning (PA)

“Delta Work was third in the race last year, he got a little bit far back early but ran a very good race,” continued Elliott.

“He was a little careful early but he’s in great form and I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s working very well.

“Galvin – the drier the ground, the better a chance he has. He will have come on a lot from Cheltenham, he’s in good form and I’m very happy with him.”

Others set to represent the three-time Grand National-winning handler in the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile contest include Punchestown Grand National Trial winner Coko Beach, the classy Fury Road, last year’s ninth Escaria Ten and Dunboyne, who was a staying-on third in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival.

Coko Beach in action during the Randox Grand National last year
Coko Beach in action during the Randox Grand National last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Coko ran very well in the race last year and finished eighth. He won the Grand National Trial at Punchestown,” said Elliott.

“For Fury Road it is the first time stepping up to this trip. He’s a Grade One horse and a classy horse. Again a bit of nice ground would suit him, but he’s in very, very good form.

“Escaria Ten travelled well for a long way last year but just didn’t get home. We’re going to drop him in and take our time with him, ride him a little bit different this year.

“Dunboyne gets in off 10st. He’s going to wear blinkers and stays really well. If he gets into a rhythm and doesn’t get too far back early, he will come home strong.”



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Jack Kennedy runs out of time to be fit for Cheltenham Festival

Jack Kennedy will miss the Cheltenham Festival after losing his race against time to be fit for the showpiece meeting.

Now very much the number one rider for Gordon Elliott, the 23-year-old was in action for his boss aboard Top Bandit when the pair came to grief in a novice chase at Naas in January.

Kennedy was stretchered off the track and transferred to Tallaght Hospital, where it was confirmed he had broken his leg for a fifth time.

Elliott revealed earlier this week his stable jockey was “making good progress” but was still “50-50” to ride at Cheltenham, with a crucial visit to his surgeon Paddy Kenny booked for Friday.

Unfortunately, Kennedy did not receive good news.

The jockey’s agent, Kevin O’Ryan, said: “It (Cheltenham) is just coming too soon. He tried his best, but it’s just coming too soon.

“He is keen to get back as soon as possible, but he is going to give it all the time it needs.

“Hopefully it will be a couple of weeks after Cheltenham.”

Following Kennedy’s injury, three-time champion Davy Russell came out of retirement to fill the void.

Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott will team up again at Cheltenham
Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott will team up again at Cheltenham (PA)

The veteran jockey enjoyed Grade One success at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival aboard the Elliott-trained Mighty Potter, who is hot favourite for the Turners’ Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, but Russell subsequently suffered a heavy fall of his own later that day and has had only two rides since.

However, he has been booked to partner both Fils D’oudairies and Present Soldier for Elliott at Leopardstown on Sunday and is widely expected to be on board the majority of the stable’s leading hopes at the Festival, with Jordan Gainford and Sam Ewing also set to be part of the team.

As well as Mighty Potter, Elliott’s Festival squad includes Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Conflated, Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase market leader Gerri Colombe and Stayers’ Hurdle candidate Teahupoo.



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Elliott anticipating Kennedy fitness update this week

Gordon Elliott expects to know later this week whether his stable jockey Jack Kennedy will be fit to ride at the Cheltenham Festival.

Kennedy has been sidelined with a broken leg since early January and is in a race against time to make the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds in just over a fortnight.

Following his injury, Davy Russell came out of retirement to fill the void, but he has taken only two rides since suffering a heavy fall at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown earlier this month.

Whether one or both of the two leading riders will be in action at Cheltenham remains to be seen.

Davy Russell steered Mighty Potter to victory at the Dublin Racing Festival
Davy Russell steered Mighty Potter to victory at the Dublin Racing Festival (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Speaking at a press morning at his yard on Monday, Elliott said: “I was with Jack on Saturday night. He went back into hospital and got good news off Paddy Kenny (doctor). He’s in Santry (sports clinic) all this week and is back to Paddy Kenny on Friday. He’ll know on Friday whether it’s yes or no.

“He’s making good progress, but he’s still 50-50. He’d have to be back riding out next week and have a week riding out and have a couple of rides the weekend before and then on to Cheltenham.

“I’m 100 per cent behind him. If he’s back he rides everything as he’s first jockey and if he’s not, we’ll have Davy and Jordan (Gainford) and Sam (Ewing).

“I haven’t spoken to Davy for the last two weeks. If Jack’s not back, the wealth of experience Davy has is unbelievable – he’s worth his weight in gold around there (Cheltenham).”



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Elliott willing Kennedy to be fit for Cheltenham – but Russell remains able deputy

Gordon Elliott is still hoping Jack Kennedy will be fit in time to return at the Cheltenham Festival – but admits it will come “down to the wire”.

Kennedy has been on the sidelines with a broken leg since early January, but immediately stated his intention to return in time for the big meeting.

As a result of his injury, Davy Russell, who had only recently announced his retirement, reversed that decision to come back and ride as first choice for Elliott, principally for last weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival at which he partnered Mighty Potter to Grade One glory.

“We’re keeping everything crossed Jack will be back. He’s going to the hospital on Thursday and he’s going to Dubai then for a week for a bit of sun,” said Elliott.

“It’ll be tight and he knows that – it’ll be down to the wire. But if he’s back he’ll be riding everything. He’s number one now and all these horses are waiting for him to come back.

“I’d say for Jack’s own peace of mind he’d like to ride a day (before Cheltenham). If he’s not coming back on the Sunday before he’s not going to ride on the Tuesday, that’s the way I’m looking at it.

“Jack has been unlucky with injuries, but saying that he’s only 22 years of age and he’s ridden 36 or 37 Grade One winners.

“He came to Leopardstown on Sunday and was in the ring with the horses and out on the track. He’s got a great attitude. All jockeys get falls and to have horses to come back and ride is very important and he has the backing of me.

“People will say he’s been unlucky to break his leg four or five times, but the fall he got off that horse the other day he’s lucky he didn’t break his neck – it was a haymaker.”

Mighty Potter and Davy Russell on their way to victory
Mighty Potter and Davy Russell on their way to victory (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Russell himself is taking a few days to recover from a fall at Leopardstown on Sunday.

“Davy got a couple of bruised ribs the other day and he’s a bit sore, but Davy is made of steel,” said Elliott.

“If it was six months’ time or three months’ time, the conversation with Davy (coming out of retirement) would never have happened. Jordan (Gainford) and Sam (Ewing) would have stepped straight in, but they’re two young lads who are very talented riders and world-class jockeys and I just felt they could do with a bit more time.

“If anything happened to Davy or Jack they’d be riding all the horses, but I was just trying to do the right thing for them and bring them along quietly.

“Cheltenham is a daunting place and you need a big attitude to go over there and ride.”

Davy Russell on Tiger Roll (left) and Delta Work and Jack Kennedy return after last year's Cross Country Chase
Davy Russell on Tiger Roll (left) and Delta Work and Jack Kennedy return after last year’s Cross Country Chase (Mike Egerton/PA)

When asked if there was a possibility both Kennedy and Russell could ride at Cheltenham, Elliott added: “I’d say whatever happens Davy will be over riding out for us on a morning and if anything happens to Jack, Davy will be there to pick up the pieces, but he knows he’s keeping the seat warm for him.

“I haven’t even had the conversation with Davy about it (riding at Cheltenham). At the moment we don’t know if Jack is going to be back so we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

“Myself and Davy talk most days and I’ve been friends with him since I was 16 or 17. Credit to the man for him to step back in and I’m sure he’ll be in Cheltenham.”



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Teahupoo advertises Stayers’ claims with Galmoy glory

Teahupoo shot to ante-post favouritism for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following a facile victory in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Gordon Elliott’s charge finished last behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season, but turned the tables when inflicting a first career defeat on the superstar mare in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse last month.

Stepping up to three miles for the first time, Teahupoo was a 4-11 chance to give weight and a beating to five rivals at Grade Two level and could hardly have been more impressive.

Ridden by Davy Russell, enjoying his first Graded success since coming out of retirement to deputise for the injured Jack Kennedy, Teahupoo travelled like the class horse in the field before being asked to extend in the home straight.

He swiftly put any stamina doubts to bed as he powered 15 lengths clear of the veteran Summerville Boy, seeing Paddy Power slash his Stayers’ Hurdle odds to 11-4 from 7-1.

Elliott said: “He was good and is a good horse. He is going the right way and the plan is to go straight to Cheltenham for the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott saddled Teahupoo to win the Galmoy Hurdle
Gordon Elliott saddled Teahupoo to win the Galmoy Hurdle (Brian Lawless/PA)

“It was two miles in Cheltenham last year and I’d say this distance is the key to him – over two miles the gun is to your head the whole time. I know he was well beaten in Punchestown after that, but he wasn’t actually beaten that far.

“At the moment we have no worries ground-wise, although it (Stayers Hurdle) is an open race too.

“Davy (Russell) said he panicked and got there a bit soon, as he is so laid-back early but when he gave a squeeze, he leapt back on the bridle. You’d love the way he quickened from the second-last to the line.”



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Davy Russell partners first winner since riding return

Sa Fureur provided Davy Russell with his first winner since returning from a short-lived retirement to deputise for the injured Jack Kennedy.

Russell initially hung up his boots in mid December, leaving Kennedy to take up the role as Gordon Elliott’s stable jockey.

However, after Kennedy broke his leg in a fall last Sunday, Russell announced on Wednesday he would temporarily resume riding for Elliott and at Punchestown the rider enjoyed his first victory since doing so.

Partnering Sa Fureur for Elliott in the second division of the Seamus & Annie Hughes Memorial Maiden Hurdle, Russell was a four-and-a-quarter-length victor at 3-1.

“That’s grand, I panicked a little bit and took it up early enough, but to be fair to the horse he stayed at it well,” said Russell.

“Winning is what it’s all about and it’s great to be back in the winners’ enclosure.

“We’re a close team, Gordon knows I’ll be giving him 100 percent and vice versa. I’m having a good blow now!

“We’re very lucky as a sport with the people that follow us, they have a love and interest in the sport. It’s great and having a bit of life around the place is super.”



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Geraghty not shocked by Russell’s decision to call temporary halt on retirement

Davy Russell has the opportunity to find closure after coming out of retirement that lasted barely a month.

That is the view of two-time Irish champion jockey and the second winning-most rider at the Cheltenham Festival, Barry Geraghty.

Russell confirmed in a statement on Wednesday evening that he will return this weekend to fill the void left at Gordon Elliott’s powerful Cullentra House operation with Jack Kennedy sidelined.

Kennedy broke his leg when falling from Top Bandit at Naas on Sunday, leaving Elliott without his number one rider, with Russell having retired on the spot following a winner at Thurles on December 18.

And Geraghty, whose own retirement from the saddle came in July 2020 after a glittering career that saw him win all the major Cheltenham Festival races at least twice, was not shocked by Russell’s about-turn, even if it is a temporary one.

“I wasn’t surprised,” said Geraghty. “My wife said to me when I told her last night that Davy was coming back, she said it was the first thing I’d said after I got a text on Sunday evening saying what Jack had done. That is a reflection of knowing the beast, if you like.

“When you have a chance to ride those good horses at Cheltenham, it is worth doing if you are Davy.

“He is 43 and has been through the wars, but he did catch a lot of people by surprise retiring when he did, mid-season, because it is a bit like a footballer retiring mid-season. It would be as if Ronaldo retired and then a position became available.

“At least there’s closure at the end of the season and there is a certain level of time before the good racing gets back, and you get to detox a little bit.

“I thought it was a very good chance it would happen and I’m not surprised at all. Davy is very driven and there is still ambition there, and it probably wasn’t being fulfilled.

“That was possibly why he retired more than anything else.”

Had Geraghty, who also won the Grand National aboard Monty’s Pass and partnered Kicking King to two King George VI Chase wins, any such thoughts of returning to the saddle once he had announced his retirement?

“No is the simple answer. I had prepared for it,” he said. “Davy’s was mid-season, so I don’t know where his thoughts were. But I was preparing for it.

“I was at the start of the King George in 2019, my last year. Sam Twiston-Davies and myself were scrimmaging down at the start for the position of second, down the rail, behind the pace.

Solwhit and Davy Russell (left) beat Punjabi and Barry Geraghty in the Garde One Rabobank Hurdle at Punchestown in 2009
Solwhit and Davy Russell (left) beat Punjabi and Barry Geraghty in the Garde One Rabobank Hurdle at Punchestown in 2009 (Damien Eagers/PA)

“Sam was pleading with me to give him the spot, and I said, ‘No Sam, I can’t, this could be my last one’. So I knew where I was, and I wasn’t just playing games with him.

“We are all different. I knew. I didn’t announce my retirement at Cheltenham, I came away from Cheltenham a week later and I’m thinking, ‘This is too easy, I’ve not had a great Cheltenham’.

“Two weeks later, I knew this was the right time.”

Barry Geraghty rode 43 Cheltenham Festival winners
Barry Geraghty rode 43 Cheltenham Festival winners (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Unlike some riders, Geraghty is thankful that he went out on his own terms and cited Richard Dunwoody, who was forced to retire though a long-term neck injury when at the peak of his powers in 1999.

“Everyone needs a certain level of closure,” said Geraghty. “I don’t think Woody got it when he had his injury and I don’t think Davy has necessarily got what he wants.

“He has gone back again and the opportunity arose. I’m not saying it is the right thing to do. It is a personal choice.

“But if he didn’t, with all those good horses, how would he feel Cheltenham week watching on?”



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Surprise riding return does not represent retirement U-turn, insists Russell

Davy Russell insists he has not made a “U-turn” on his retirement and is only stepping into the breach while Jack Kennedy recovers from a broken leg.

Russell announced his retirement on December 18 having ridden Liberty Dance to victory at Thurles – but has been tempted back into action by Gordon Elliott.

Russell and Kennedy rode the majority of Elliott’s horses prior to his retirement and with Kennedy now on the sidelines, Russell will don his riding boots once more, starting at Fairyhouse and Punchestown this weekend. However, he has stressed that as soon as Kennedy returns to action, he will head back into retirement.

Expanding on his decision in his blog for Star Sports, Russell said: “How’s the retirement going? It was going great until last weekend when Jack’s spill changed everything. It was terrible to lose a lovely horse in Top Bandit and then for Jack to have broken his leg made things even worse for the yard.

“He’s hasn’t half had some rotten luck and that’s the fifth time he’s broken his leg – crazy for one so young.

“As I said in my announcement yesterday, we are a close team in Cullentra so when Gordon asked me the question if I’d come back and help ride a few as they needed me, there was only ever going to be one answer.

“You see I’ve only been finished a matter of weeks and have done plenty in Gordon’s. As I joked in my statement, I actually sat on more on Wednesday than I’ve done in years.

Joyous scenes for Davy Russell at Thurles last month
Joyous scenes for Davy Russell at Thurles last month (Thomas Weekes/PA)

“The timing of Jack’s accident is bad. These things are never good, but if it had happened let’s say two or three months later, there would have been no decision to make. There are so many young talented pilots in Gordon’s and their days will come for sure. It’s just a bit early for some of the more high-profile horses and that’s where I am happy to help.

“Plenty have asked whether I’ll be at Cheltenham, will I go to Aintree? How long will this come back last? Listen, this is no comeback or U-turn. I’m simply filling in for Jack and when he’s ready to return, I’ll step away again. That may be before Cheltenham, that may be after Cheltenham. The key is I’m there to help a team that has always had my back. That’s why I’ve made the decision to return.”



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Davy Russell making riding return to cover for injured Kennedy

Davy Russell is to come out of retirement to cover for Jack Kennedy while the current Irish championship leader is on the sidelines with a broken leg.

Russell only retired last month, after riding a winner at Thurles on December 18.

The 43-year-old – who won the Grand National twice on Tiger Roll and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Lord Windermere – had been a key part of the riding team at Gordon Elliott’s along with Kennedy.

Davy Russell celebrates winning the Grand National with Tiger Roll
Davy Russell celebrates winning the Grand National with Tiger Roll (Mike Egerton/PA)

However, with Kennedy now out of action in the lead up to the big spring festivals, Russell has reversed his decision and will resume his career at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Russell said: “After meeting with Gordon today, I have decided to come out of retirement and ride for the short period while Jack is on the sidelines.

“It’s only been a matter of weeks since I retired, and I actually rode more out this morning than I have in many years.

“We are a close team in Cullentra and after what happened last weekend, I want to help the team through a difficult few weeks.

“The plan is to resume riding in Fairyhouse on Saturday and Punchestown on Sunday.”



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Jump Jockeys: How Are The Mighty Fallen?

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!

- Samuel, 1:25

Perhaps more so than the terrific performances at Cheltenham this past weekend, or the death of National Hunt benefactor Alan Potts, jump racing's headlines have been hogged in recent days not by horses or owners, nor even trainers; but, rather, by the riders.

First Paddy Brennan was sensationally 'jocked off' Cue Card, sweetheart of so many fans of the winter game, after a tumble too many; then Sam Twiston-Davies broke his elbow in a fall at Sandown before, this past Saturday, Ruby Walsh broke his leg in what was, remarkably, his third fall of the afternoon.

It is of course the very essence of the National Hunt jockeys' existence to face down danger between ten and twenty - and as many as 32 - times per race. In that context, falls are a natural by-product of race outcomes. But what is a reasonable rate for a rider to become separated from his or her equine partner?

Let the data speak.

 

Fall/Unseat Rates: The Five Year Macro Data

Below are the faller rates for the last five years in UK/Irish chases by a number of the top jockeys, one notably since retired. To be clear, this is for steeplechase falls and unseats (FU's) only, and the table is sorted by number of rides.

 

Jockey Rides FU's FU %
R Johnson 1552 88 5.67%
S Twiston-Davies 1484 93 6.27%
N Fehily 1003 59 5.88%
P Brennan 999 56 5.61%
D Russell 800 57 7.13%
B Geraghty 740 40 5.41%
AP McCoy 724 41 5.66%
R Walsh 651 53 8.14%
J Kennedy 258 24 9.30%

 

To add more global context to this subset of superstars, the average fall/unseat rate in the last 10,000 starters in UK and Irish chases has been 6.59%. Solely in Irish chases, the last 10,000 starters there fell or unseated at a rate of 7.84%, presumably because of the heavier turf on which they predominantly race (a subject for another, wetter, day). It may then be fair to say that anything lower than that is outperforming the average, and anything higher than that is under-performing against the average.

But not all chase rides are 'average'. The likes of Ruby Walsh and Jack Kennedy are more frequently engaged in the kind of skirmishes for victory which may demand firing a horse at the last, or an earlier fence, in a more aggressive fashion than, say, a rider popping round for fourth place.

If that is to mitigate, the disparities in the table cannot be so simply swept from view.

We can see i the table that, on a large number of rides, many of them with winning chances, Richard Johnson, Sam Twiston-Davies and Noel Fehily have all kept their fall/unseat rate below 6.5%. So too have Paddy Brennan, Barry Geraghty, and the now retired Tony McCoy.

But across the Irish Sea, look at Davy Russell, who leads the Irish jumps championship this term, and his hitherto closest pursuer, Ruby Walsh. Note also Jack Kennedy, number one jockey at Gordon Elliott's powerfully ascendant yard.

Russell's tumble rate of 7.13% is on the high side compared with Britain, but not wildly out of kilter with the pan-national average and in the green zone against his domestic peer group. The same cannot be said of Jack and Ruby. Although the former is young and arguably still learning his trade - arguably because he's had many more rides than plenty of jockeys five years his senior - the latter especially looks a surprisingly precarious pilot. Now, before the hate mail starts, obviously I recognise that Ruby Walsh is one of the great jockeys of our time and that this is but one barometer of a jockey's ability.

But, all the same, if I want to bet at a short price - and his rides are almost exclusively offered at prohibitive odds - I need to know that I have to factor a higher than average likelihood of my selection not passing the post in a chase with the rider on its back. With Jack Kennedy, he's almost 20% more likely to be dumped on the turf than the Irish average.

Let me be clear again: this is not about Ruby or Jack or anyone else. I'm far too selfish for that. No, this is about me as a punter knowing what I'm up against. About being forewarned and, therefore, forearmed.

 

Fall/Unseat Rates: The One Year Snapshot

Five years is a long time and it makes for some statistically significant (in the context of racing's generally small samples at least) inferences. But how do we compare jockeys with themselves? One way is to look at a snapshot - a subset - of the overall dataset. For punting purposes, the most current subset seems the most sensible. Below then are the last twelve months for the same jockey grouping, again sorted by number of rides.

 

Jockey Rides FU's FU %
R Johnson 301 20 6.64%
S Twiston-Davies 300 16 5.33%
D Russell 210 9 4.29%
N Fehily 206 12 5.83%
P Brennan 182 7 3.85%
R Walsh 124 13 10.48%
J Kennedy 123 12 9.76%
B Geraghty 105 9 8.57%
AP McCoy NA NA NA

 

Whilst even more care needs to be taken not to make bold claims on the basis of flimsy sample sizes, there remain elephants in the room.

First, let's look at Paddy Brennan, recently relieved of his supporting role atop the gorgeous Cue Card. His 3.85% fall/unseat rate in the past year is comfortably the lowest in the group and almost 1.5 times better than his five year average. Was he thus unlucky to lose such a coveted ride? That depends entirely on whether you're a macro sort of guy or you have the nuanced eye to make decisions based on the specifics of a handful of rides. I certainly don't consider myself qualified in the latter context and can see arguments for and against the rider switch.

The British Champion Jockey, Richard Johnson, has seen his tumble rate increase in the past twelve months, though possibly not materially. It has crept above the 10,000 runner average of 6.59% by a tiny margin: Johnson's renewed appetite to forage for every ride will have introduced a greater element of quantity over quality to his diet and the variance may perhaps be explained in such a way.

Noel Fehily has been remarkably consistent while Sam Twiston-Davies, who amazingly (to me at least, he seems to have been around for a long time) has only just turned 25, has retained his partnerships on a notably more frequent basis according to the most recent evidence. Tough luck then to break his elbow earlier this month; he actually rode in a subsequent race, attesting to the no-safety-net trapeze swing between heroism and stupidity that many in the weighing room unquestioningly fling themselves.

Meanwhile, Ireland's champion jockey-elect, Davy Russell, is 27 winners clear of his nearest challenger if one excludes the sidelined Walsh from calculations. Russell is approaching veteran status, though still in his late thirties, and has courted controversy this year in the manner with which he attempted to correct a recalcitrant mount. That episode deserves no more than a footnote in a piece the focus of which is elsewhere, and it will indeed be a shame if a man shunned by his major employer less than four years ago does not receive the praise he deserves if/when winning the jockeys' championship. Fair play to him.

To the elephant or, more precisely, the trio of elephants, in the room. Barry Geraghty first. He is one of the best jockeys I've seen and, in his time at Nicky Henderson's, was a man never to be dismissed. But, since taking the green and gold coin of Team JP, misfortune has followed him like a very bad smell. Since last July, he has broken both arms, in separate incidents; cracked a rib and collapsed a lung on another occasion; and recently (late August) fractured a shoulder blade. You have to be tough to be a jump jockey - far tougher than to look at numbers and write words about the subject - but my admiration starts to wane when riders persist in the face of mounting fragility.

It's no more my place to suggest to a rider about when to retire as it is for a rider to enquire on the number of winners I've ridden. So I won't. All I'll say is that I imagine the partners and families of jump jockeys rejoice the news of their loved one's cessation of getting legged up in a similar vein to that of the partners and families of professional boxers on hearing of gloves being hung for the final time. And I sincerely hope BJG has a long, uninterrupted and fruitful spell between now and whenever he pursues alternative employment.

Yet still we've to address the figureheads of Closutton and Cullentra, Ruby and Jack. In the last twelve months, Kennedy has come unstuck a dozen times from 123 chase starts. That's as near to ten per cent, and as near to 25% above the Irish average, as doesn't matter. Walsh has fallen or unseated once more than Kennedy, from one more ride, in the same period, a ratio above 10% and almost 33% greater than the norm.

It seems churlish to kick a man when he's down - Ruby faces a race against time to be back for the Cheltenham Festival and, like all fans of the sport, I hope he makes it - so I'll let those data speak for themselves. All I will add is that, to my eye - and keep in mind I've never ridden a winner - Ruby takes too many chances with fatigued animals late in races. Mounting (or, cynically, dismounting) evidence seems to support that.

The pressure in the Elliott and Mullins camps must be enormous, not just from the trainers, but from owners, other jockeys in the yard and, increasingly, the omnipresence of (social) media. Much of the latter is unworthy of attention, but when you're accustomed to being told how good you are, the sharper brickbats probably leave a weal.

 

Final Thoughts

There is an inherent selection bias in the tables above. Each of the jockeys therein has earned his place by being at the top of his peer group; such elevation comes only from taking chances when they're presented, and occasionally fashioning them when they may not absolutely be there.

As sports gigs go, riding 600kg animals over five foot fences (apologies for mixed metric-phors) around fifteen times per race on average is down there with the worst of 'em. It would never be for a wuss like me. Although not big on machismo either, I have a robust respect for these turf-eating gladiators as a collective.

But when the wallet comes out, they are individuals. And I want to know which individuals will support my bottom line, in the same way that these jocks want to know which horses will provide the winners to propel them up the championship table. It's every man (and woman) for themselves. Nobody is more or less selfish than the next, either in the punting or riding ranks; and nor should they be.

To that end, the frailties of otherwise tremendous jockeys with enormous (and, in the main, well deserved and hard earned) reputations are power to the contrarian punters' elbow.

Ruby has won aboard 30% of the chasers he's ridden in the last five years. That's open water clear of the next best (McCoy 22%, Daryl Jacob and Noel Fehily 20%, Sam T-D and Paddy B 19%, Richard Johnson 18%). But, from a punting perspective, his negative ROI of 18.86% at SP during that time is surpassed by absolutely nobody in his Premier League peer group. Some of that, of course, relates to his stable's form with chasers, most of it to the over-exposure of the Mullins/Walsh/Ricci PR machine; that's neither here nor there in terms of wagering.

Meanwhile, on the flip side, the unfashionable Paddy Brennan not only wins at a 19% clip, he's also secured a profit of almost 60 points at SP in the same time frame, regardless of the Cue Card fallout.

Backing horses is not a beauty contest, nor is it about fashion. On the contrary, the value lies wherever the spotlight doesn't. And, even in the halogen glare of the media beam, punting pearls are left for those with peripheral vision. Always be asking questions, take nothing on trust. The data is here. Use it. It rarely lies.

I genuinely hope Ruby gets back in time for the Festival, and I further hope he has a fantastic time of it. But I'll not be touching his chase mounts there, or pretty much anywhere else. That's unlikely to trouble him, of course. Devil take the hindmost!

Matt



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