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Barry Geraghty

Irish jockey, Barry Geraghty, rode his first winner at Down Royal back in January 1997. And his career since then has been nothing short of remarkable. He has been crowned Champion Jockey on two occasions in Ireland, in 1999-2000 and 2003-2004.

He was leading rider at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival and led Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. With five winners that week, he then went on to win his fourth Champion Chase at the 2012 Cheltenham festival on Finians Rainbow.

He continued the season in incredible form taking the most coveted prize of them all – the Aintree Grand National. On the Jimmy Mangan-trained Monty’s Pass he romped home for the win. In recognition of his amazing year, Geraghty was voted as ‘Sports Personality Of The Year’ later that season for his wonderful victories. Plus, it was the first time that this prize had been won by anyone in the racing industry.

On 2nd November 2009 he rode his 1000th winner under National Hunt Rules in UK and Ireland. It was on the Nicky Henderson trained Duc De Regniere won at Kempton.

In 2012, he then had another remarkable Cheltenham Festival, where he won another five times for trainer Nicky Henderson. He was on Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle, Simonsig in the Novices’ Hurdle, Bobs Worth in the RSA Chase, Finians Rainbow in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Riverside Theatre in the Ryanair Chase.

Barry Geraghty’s Grand National Runs

Geraghty had hoped to continue his winning ways on Shakalakaboomboom in the 2012 Grand National. But despite giving him a fantastic ride around the course, he couldn’t keep up with the leaders.

He still finished a very respectable 9th place. And given that Shakalakaboomboom was only 8 years old, he was sure to be back again.

Nicky Henderson had only one runner in 2013 so Geraghty paired with Roberto Goldback. He was unseated at the last fence and was out of the race.

For the 2014 Crabbies Grand National, Barry Geraghty was on board Triolo D’Alene but was pulled-up at Bechers Brook on the second circuit. He didn’t make an appearance in 2015 due to injury.

Back again in 2016, Geraghty was now the retained rider for super-owner JP McManus. Donning the famous gold and green hoops, he partnered with Shutthefrontdoor to finish in 9th place.

In 2017 he was on More Of That but pulled-up.

2018 saw him come the closest to another Grand National win. On Anibale Fly he had a terrific race to finish in 4th place.

For the 2019 Grand National, he was booked to ride Anibale Fly. However, on Day 2 of the festival, Geraghty fell and broke his leg ruling him out of the race. Mark Walsh then moved from Regal Encore to take his place. Odds moved out from around 12/1 to 16/1.

Geraghty In 2020

2020 was a huge year for legendary jockey Barry Geraghty. At the Cheltenham Festival he landed his fourth Champion Hurdle on Epatante, and in total, rode five winners over the four days. He finished second in the jockeys’ standings to Paul Townend who rode the same number of winners but also had two runners-up placings.

On an even bigger note, Barry Geraghty made the shock announcement, via Twitter, that he had decided to retire from horse racing. He ended his 24-year career on 1,920 wins.

He said: “I’ve fulfilled all my dreams. As a kid growing up, you’re dreaming of Grand Nationals and Gold Cups and Champion Hurdles, so to get the chance to ride in them, let alone win them, was brilliant.”

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