Thursday, February 7, 2019 - Davy Russell bagged his first Holland Cooper Leading Jockey Award at The Festival™ presented by Magners in 2018.
The experienced Irish rider, who partnered his first winner at The Festival in 2006, narrowly edged out fellow Irish jockey Jack Kennedy. Both riders achieved four winners over the four days last year, with Russell taking the honours thanks to a second.
Russell's victories in 2018 included a stunning 377/1 treble on St Patrick's Thursday. His first winner of the week came in the G1 RSA Insurance Novices' Chase on Presenting Percy, who is being aimed at the G1 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 15. His tally at The Festival is now 22 and he moves into clear sixth place in the post-1945 list.
It was truly a season to savour for Russell as he went on to win the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree the following month on Tiger Roll.
Previous winners of the Holland Cooper Leading Jockey Award are listed below, with current jockeys in bold
|
2018 |
Davy Russell (4) |
1998 |
A P McCoy (5) |
|
2017 |
Ruby Walsh (4) |
1997 |
A P McCoy (3) |
|
2016 |
Ruby Walsh (7) |
1996 |
Richard Dunwoody (2) |
|
2015 |
Ruby Walsh (4) |
1995 |
Norman Williamson (4) |
|
2014 |
Ruby Walsh (3) |
1994 |
Charlie Swan (3) |
|
2013 |
Ruby Walsh (4) |
1993 |
Charlie Swan (4) |
|
2012 |
Barry Geraghty (5) |
1992 |
Jamie Osborne (5) |
|
2011 |
Ruby Walsh (5) |
1991 |
Peter Scudamore (2) |
|
2010 |
Ruby Walsh (3) |
1990 |
Richard Dunwoody (2) |
|
2009 |
Ruby Walsh (7) |
1989 |
Tom Morgan (2) |
|
2008 |
Ruby Walsh (3) |
1988 |
Simon Sherwood (2) |
|
2007 |
Robert Thornton (4) |
1987 |
Peter Scudamore (2) |
|
2006 |
Ruby Walsh (3) |
1986 |
Peter Scudamore (2) |
|
2005 |
Graham Lee (3) |
1985 |
Steve Smith Eccles (3) |
|
2004 |
Ruby Walsh (3) |
1984 |
Jonjo O'Neill (2) |
|
2003 |
Barry Geraghty (5) |
1983 |
Graham Bradley (2) |
|
2002 |
Richard Johnson (2) |
1982 |
Jonjo O'Neill (1) |
|
2001 |
cancelled - foot & mouth |
1981 |
John Francome (3) |
|
2000 |
Mick Fitzgerald (4) |
1980 |
Mr Jim Wilson (3) |
|
1999 |
Mick Fitzgerald (4) |
|
|
LEADING CURRENT JOCKEYS AT THE FESTIVAL
|
Ruby Walsh |
58 |
|
Barry Geraghty |
36 |
|
Richard Johnson |
23 |
|
Davy Russell |
22 |
|
Tom Scudamore |
10 |
|
Bryan Cooper |
8 |
|
Paul Townend |
8 |
|
Mr Jamie Codd |
7 |
|
Nico de Boinville |
7 |
|
Sam Twiston-Davies |
7 |
|
Paddy Brennan |
6 |
|
Noel Fehily |
6 |
|
Jack Kennedy |
5 |
|
Andrew Lynch |
4 |
|
Mr Patrick Mullins |
4 |
|
Denis O'Regan |
4 |
|
Robbie Power |
4 |
|
Mr Sam Waley-Cohen |
4 |
TOP JOCKEYS AT THE FESTIVAL
(SINCE 1945, CURRENT JOCKEYS IN BOLD)
|
Ruby Walsh |
58 |
|
Barry Geraghty |
36 |
|
Sir A P McCoy |
31 |
|
Pat Taaffe |
25 |
|
Richard Johnson |
23 |
|
Davy Russell |
22 |
|
Richard Dunwoody |
18 |
|
Charlie Swan |
17 |
|
Fred Winter |
17 |
|
Robert Thornton |
16 |
|
Paul Carberry |
14 |
|
Mick Fitzgerald |
14 |
|
Peter Scudamore |
13 |
Most successful jockeys in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup
|
4 |
Pat Taaffe (1964, 1965 & 1966 Arkle, 1968 Fort Leney) |
|
|
|
|
3 |
Aubrey Brabazon (1948, 1949 & 1950 Cottage Rake) |
|
|
Tommy Carberry (1970 & 1971 L'Escargot, 1975 Ten Up) |
|
|
Jim Culloty (2002, 2003 & 2004 Best Mate) |
|
|
Dick Rees (1924 Red Splash, 1928 Patron Saint, 1929 Easter Hero)
|
Most successful jockeys in the Unibet Champion Hurdle
|
4 |
Tim Molony (1951 Hatton's Grace, 1952, 1953 & 1954 Sir Ken) |
|
|
Ruby Walsh (2011 & 2013 Hurricane Fly, 2015 Faugheen, 2016 Annie Power) |
|
|
|
|
3 |
Sir A P McCoy (1997 Make A Stand, 2006 Brave Inca, 2010 Binocular) |
|
|
Steve Smith Eccles (1985, 1986 & 1987 See You Then) |
|
|
Barry Geraghty (2009 Punjabi, 2014 Jezki, 2018 Buveur D'Air) |
|
|
Charlie Swan (1998, 1999 & 2000 Istabraq) |
|
|
Ron Smyth (1941 Seneca, 1942 Forestation, 1948 National Spirit) |
|
|
Jimmy Uttley (1968, 1969 & 1970 Persian War) |
|
|
Fred Winter (1955 Clair Soleil, 1959 Fare Time, 1961 Eborneezer)
|
Most successful jockeys in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
|
5 |
Barry Geraghty (2003 & 2005 Moscow Flyer, 2010 Big Zeb, 2012 Finian's Rainbow, 2013 Sprinter Sacre) |
|
|
Pat Taaffe (1960 & 1961 Fortria, 1964 Ben Stack, 1966 Flyingbolt, 1970 Straight Fort) |
|
|
|
|
3 |
Robert Earnshaw (1983, 1984 & 1985 Badsworth Boy) |
|
|
Ruby Walsh (2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded)
|
|
|
|
Most successful jockeys in the Ryanair Chase
(Festival Trophy)
|
4 |
Ruby Walsh (2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis, 2016 Vautour, 2017 Un De Sceaux)
|
|
3 |
Sir A P McCoy (2010 & 2011 Albertas Run, 2015 Uxizandre)
|
Most successful jockeys in the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle
|
5 |
Ruby Walsh (2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Big Buck's, 2017 Nichols Canyon) |
|
|
|
|
2 |
Tommy Carberry (1975 Brown Lad, 1977 Town Ship) |
|
|
Tommy Carmody (1987 & 1988 Galmoy) |
|
|
Thierry Doumen (2002 & 2003 Baracouda) |
|
|
Barry Geraghty (2004 Iris's Gift, 2014 More Of That) Jamie Osborne (1992 Nomadic Way, 1997 Karshi) Mark Perrett (1991 King's Curate, 1994 Balasani) Stuart Shilston (1982 & 1986 Crimson Embers) |
|
|
Charlie Swan (1990 Tapper John, 1993 Shuil Ar Aghaidh) |
|
|
|
James Bowen targets first winner at The Festival
Welsh jockey James Bowen's burgeoning CV includes a Welsh Grand National success, but a first victory at The Festival™ presented by Magners is something the 17-year-old rider is craving when the four-day gets underway on Champion Day, Tuesday, March 12 at Cheltenham Racecourse, a date which coincidentally marks Bowen's 18th birthday.
Bowen, who started riding on the official pony circuit when he was eight, was quickly identified as a future star when partnering 30 winners in his first point-to-point season - a British record for a novice rider. His first ride and victory came on his 16th birthday. Many of his point-to-point winners were trained by his eldest brother Mickey.
Having ridden out for leading Irish trainer Gordon Elliott for three summers from when he was 12, Bowen knew "from the age of eight that I was going to be a jockey."
Bowen turned professional in May 2017, rode his first paid winner aboard Curious Carlos (Cartmel, May 27) and was soon snapped up by Britain's champion Jump trainer and Seven Barrows maestro Nicky Henderson to be the yard's conditional jockey.
He enjoyed a stellar first season under Rules as he was crowned Britain's leading conditional with 58 winners at a 17% strike-rate and amassed over £733,000 in prize money.
The young rider's meteoric rise in 2018 also saw Bowen become the youngest jockey to win the G3 Coral Welsh National on the Gavin Cromwell-trained Raz De Maree (the oldest horse to win the race at 13 since 1945).
William Henry was another big-race winner for Bowen as he guided Henderson's charge to success in the Listed Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park in February, 2018. He also partnered the Henderson-trained Jenkins to victory in the G3 Holloway's Handicap Hurdle as Ascot.
A fine season for Bowen was capped with a nomination for the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year award, in which he made the final shortlist of three.
Reflecting on last season, Bowen, whose father Peter is a G1 winning trainer and brother Sean is a fellow jockey, said: "Last season was an unbelievable season for me.
"It was an honour to win the Welsh Grand National and it was great to win a couple of big races for Mr Henderson.
"I was so grateful to all the people that made it happen and hopefully that success can continue this season."
One of the low points of an otherwise stellar season was his defeat aboard the Richard Hobson-trained Shantou Flyer in the G3 Ultima Handicap Chase at The Festival in 2018.
The pair came within a neck of providing the Welshman with a first success at The Festival in the competitive handicap, but just came up short against the Nick Williams-trained Coo Star Sivola.
Bowen, whilst not dwelling on the defeat, still recalls the day with mixed emotion, explaining: "My loss on Shantou Flyer was one of the most frustrating things of 2018.
"I have watched the replay back a few times because I blamed myself for the ride, but at the same time you have to say to yourself what you did instinctively at the time, is normally the best thing to do."
Shantou Flyer went on to be Bowen's first ride in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree in April, further cementing the wealth of experience the youngster has accrued in big races throughout the Jump racing calendar. James emulated his brother Sean by riding in the world's most famous and richest chase as a 17-year-old.
Bowen rode out his claim with 75 winners in less than a year and is on track to enjoy his best season in the saddle, having recorded 55 successes (as of February 6) in 2018/19.
Notable victories this campaign have come aboard French import Valtor in the Listed Gerrard Silver Cup at Ascot and the talented Mister Fisher in the G2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at Haydock Park, both for Henderson.
Mister Fisher looks set to take his chance in The Festival™ presented by Magners traditional curtain-raiser, the G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Bowen was effusive in his praise of the five-year-old son of Jeremy.
Bowen continued: "I think Mister Fisher has a real engine. I was very impressed with his performance at Haydock as he knuckled down well when coming under pressure and his jumping held up well.
"He is still quite an immature horse, but has improved with every race and hopefully he can improve again at Cheltenham."
Jump racing's superstar Altior will bid to equal Big Buck's all-time record of 18 consecutive victories when he bids to capture back-to-back renewals of the G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival and Bowen describes it as "a pleasure" to see Altior every day at Seven Barrows.
He remarked: "It is a real pleasure to work at Seven Barrows and ride a number of top-class horses. However, the one who stands out has to be Altior.
"It is a privilege to see him in work every morning and it would be very special if he could win the Champion Chase for the second year running."
Discussing Cheltenham, Bowen commented: "Growing up, the Cheltenham Festival was something my brothers and I would always look forward to.
"We would always have a half day at school as Dad used to pick us up from school at lunchtime on every day that Cheltenham was on."
With this year's meeting just around the corner, the desire to ride a winner at the pantheon is not lost on the young rider.
He said: "It is always special to have any winner at Cheltenham and I have already been lucky enough to have success at the track. However, it would mean the world to me to have a winner at The Festival.
"Coming so close last year has only given me further motivations this time.
"It is never going to be easy to have a winner at The Festival and that is why it would be a special experience to come back into the winner's enclosure in March.
"It is a class experience to even ride in any race at The Festival, let alone winning one."
Female Jockeys at The Festival
2018 was the best year yet for female jockeys at The Festival, with four victories, each provided by a different rider - with Lizzie Kelly becoming the first professional female jockey to triumph, followed by Bridget Andrews, while amateurs Harriet Tucker and Katie Walsh, who retired from race riding the following month, also enjoyed memorable victories. Another leading Irish amateur, Nina Carberry, who has the best record of any female rider at The Festival with seven wins, also stepped back from race riding in April, 2018.
Overall: 14 winning female jockeys, with 23 winners between them
First: Miss Caroline Beasley - Eliogarty, 1983 Foxhunter Chase.
First professional rider: Lizzie Kelly - Coo Star Sivola, 2018 Ultima Handicap Chase.
Most successful: Ms Nina Carberry, 6 winners.
Best race: St James's Place Foxhunter Chase - 2018 Miss Harriet Tucker; 2017 Miss Bryony Frost; 2016 & 2015 Ms Nina Carberry; 2004 Miss Rilly Goschen; 2002 Mrs Fiona Needham; 1995 Miss Polly Curling; 1989 Miss Katie Rimell; 1983 Miss Caroline Beasley.
Andrews, Bridget (1 win)
Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle: 2018 Mohaayed
Andrews, Miss Gina (1 win)
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase: 2017 Domesday Book
Armytage, Miss Gee (2 wins)
Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase: 1987 Gee-A
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase: 1987 The Ellier
Beasley, Miss Caroline (1 win)
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 1983 Eliogarty
Carberry, Ms Nina (7 wins)
Gelnfarclas Cross Country Chase: 2007 Heads Onthe Ground, 2008 & 2009 Garde Champetre, 2016 Josies Orders
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter): 2005 Dabiroun
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 2015 & 2016 On The Fringe
Curling, Miss Polly (1 win)
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 1995 Fantus
Frost, Bryony (1 win)
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 2017 Pacha Du Polder (when riding as an amateur)
Goschen, Miss Rilly (1 win)
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 2004 Earthmover
Kelly, Lizzie (1 win)
Ultima Handicap Chase: 2018 Coo Star Sivola
Needham, Mrs Fiona (1 win)
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 2002 Last Option
O'Neill, Ms Lisa (1 win)
National Hunt Chase: 2017 Tiger Roll
Rimell, Miss Katie (1 win)
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 1989 Three Counties
Tucker, Miss Harriet (1 win)
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase: 2018 Pacha Du Polder
Walsh, Ms Katie Walsh (3 wins)
National Hunt Chase: 2010 Poker De Sivola
Weatherbys Champion Bumper: 2018 Relegate
Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle: 2010 Thousand Stars
If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact: Sophia Dale, Communications Manager - Jockey Club Racecourses South West 01242 537 683 sophia.dale@thejockeyclub.co.uk
