Sam Twiston-Davies – Grand National Jockey
Known for being the son of Champion Trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, it would be easy to assume that Sam Twiston-Davies career has been slightly easier than most.
Of course this is far from the truth as anybody who follows racing can tell you, as becoming a professional and successful jockey requires dedication and hard work that most cannot even conceive of, and if you’re working for your father then that only makes it ten times more difficult.
The Early Years
At the age of just 16, Sam made an immediate impact in the Hunter Chase arena by taking the Irish Champion Hunter Chase at Punchestown aboard Baby Run, following a bold bid at the Cheltenham Festival when third aboard the same horse.
A proud dad was heard to answer the question of why had Baby Run been taken to Punchestown, with “We needed the money!”
On March 19th 2010, Sam sealed his future by riding Baby Run to a win at Cheltenham in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup, immediately after Imperial Commander had romped home for the Cheltenham Gold Cup crowning one of the best racing days for the Twiston-Davies family.
As an amateur rider, Sam had 18 wins and partnered Hello Bud for the 2010 Grand National taking fifth place.
Young Twiston-Davies had made it clear that he wanted to be a full-time jockey and, after taking advice from Carl Llewellyn, himself a Grand National winning jockey, he decided it was time to take the plunge and relinquish his amateur status.
On 17th April 2010, had his first professional ride aboard Razor Royale to take 4th place in the Scottish National at Ayr.
Sam Twiston-Davies Grand National Record
For the 2013 Grand National, Sam Twiston-Davies partnered top-weighted Imperial Commander, trained by his father but pulled-up at Bechers Brook on the second circuit.
For 2014 Sam has been booked on Tidal Bay for trainer Paul Nicholls, with many suspecting that despite his age, he could go off as favourite and become the first top weight horse to win since Red Rum.
In 2015 he partnered Rocky Creek, again for Paul Nicholls and while he did make it around the course, he could only manage 17th place.
While he has never won the Aintree Grand National, he has been more successful at the Scottish Grand National. He won both the 2016 and 2017 races, both times on Vincente.
By 2018 he had left Paul Nicholls yard as the stable jockey and decided to go freelance.
Twiston-Davies has been a consistent face at Aintree and in 2022 partnered Class Conti for trainer Willie Mullins, finishing in 13th place.
While his ride for the 2023 Grand National has not yet been confirmed, no doubt he will be hoping to finally add the coveted win to his already impressive list of achievements.
Cheltenham Festival
Sam Twiston-Davies has been winning at Cheltenham since 2010. His first victory was in the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase, on board Baby Run.
He has also won the Queen Mother Champion Chase (2015) on Dodging Bullets and after a few less successful trips to Prestbury Park renewed his winning ways in 2023, winning the Broadway Novices’ Chase on The Real Whacker.
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