Barry Geraghty calls time on riding career

Rider announced his retirement on Saturday night.

Barry Geraghty has announced his retirement from the saddle.

The 40-year-old has called time an illustrious career that has encompassed wins in a host of jump racing’s headline prizes, including the 2003 Grand National at Aintree on Monty’s Pass and two Cheltenham Gold Cups with Kicking King (2005) and Bobs Worth (2013).

Geraghty tweeted: “A big thank you to my family, friends and everyone who has supported me over the last 24 years, tonight I am happy to say I am announcing my retirement.

“I’ve been blessed to have had a wonderful career and I’m looking to what the future holds.”

Geraghty rode five winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival in March, including Epatante in the Champion Hurdle – his fourth success in the Grade One feature following Punjabi (2009), Jezki (2014) and Buveur D’Air (2018) – and Champ, who grabbed a memorable last-gasp success in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase.

The rider bows out with a total of 43 Festival winners during his career.

Geraghty has been associated with some jumping greats over the years, not least Champion Chase winners Sprinter Sacre and Moscow Flyer, while he has enjoyed notably fruitful partnerships with Jessica Harrington and Nicky Henderson.

He was appointed first rider for owner JP McManus in June 2015 and what was to be his final Festival success came in the famous green and gold colours aboard Saint Roi in the County Hurdle.

Geraghty was also twice crowned champion jockey in Ireland, in the 1999-2000 and 2003-04 seasons.

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