Davy Condon
Davy Condon is a National Hunt jockey who is a native of Glengoura, East Cork, Ireland. He followed the popular route for aspiring jockey’s, having been something of a star on the pony racing scene. Both his grandfather and father were jockey’s but his father’s career was cut short after suffering a fall.
On leaving school Davy was apprenticed to Willie Mullins in Carlow and had his first ride at Tipperary in 2001 aged 16, he notched up 5 wins in his first year. In 2002 he had a total of 27 winners and was runner up in the Apprentices Championship. He rode Holy Orders to second place at Ascot and the pair travelled to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.
By 2004 weight had started to become an issue for Davy and as retiring was never an option his thoughts turned to the jumps. In 2004 he had his first victory over hurdles and had a total of 12 jumps wins in that season, as well as 21 winners on the flat.
A major highlight came in 2006 when he won the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham on board Ebaziyan and in the 2008/9 season, to gain experience, he moved to Nicky Richards yard in Cumbria. There followed an enjoyable and successful year with Richard’s and a total of 24 winner’s but when recession started to bite and with no real need for a stable jockey any longer Davy returned to Ireland to team up with Noel Meade.
With stable jockey Paul Carberry suspended, Davy got his big break in 2009/10 and rode 6 Grade 1 winners in a season. Since returning to Ireland he has also had rides for Gordon Elliot and schools horses for Joanna Morgan, he now lives in Trim close to their stables.
Condon has ridden in three previous Grand Nationals – 2007 on Homer Wells when he pulled up at the 22nd and in 2010 on board Backstage when he was unseated at the 20th. He partnered Becauseicouldntsee in 2012 but was unseated at the 8th fence.
He didn’t ride out for the 2013 National but is back again this year on board Raz De Maree representing trainer Dessie Hughes.
Picture by: Julien Behal/PA Archive/Press Association Images
