Davy Russell announced his retirement from the saddle at Thurles on Sunday after winning on his final ride. The 43-year-old triple-champion jockey won a hurdle race on the Gordon Elliott trained Liberty Dance and promptly brought the curtain down on his glittering career.
Twice a Grand National winner on Tiger Roll, and successful in the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Lord Windermere, Russell’s announcement came a day after Frankie Dettori revealed his own retirement plans at the end of 2023.
Russell’s immediate departure brings to a close a vintage era of Irish-based National Hunt jockeys that also included Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry.
His status in such elite company was undisputed, cool natural horsemanship in the saddle mixing with a sometime emotional nature out of it.
‘Helping him in his darkest moment was also helping me’: David Eccles and Tadhg Kennelly on an act of friendship that spawned a movement
Your complete guide to all the festive sporting action including TV details
Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’
Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024
It is a combination that has made the man from Youghal in Co Cork a popular figure within racing and a widely recognisable face outside of it.
“After over 20 years riding as a professional jockey, I’ve decided to call it a day. My journey began 43 years ago with the support of my parents who gave me the most outstanding of childhoods – never restricting me and giving me the freedom to begin a journey.
“My mother is no longer here but she has always had my back - I still feel her watching over me today. As for my dad, I’m lucky to still have him in my life and he’s always been there for me too along with my brothers and sisters,” Russell said in a statement.
“To my wife Edelle and my kids Jaimee, Lily, Finn, Liam and Tess: you are the reason I can hang up my riding boots today. You have taught me what it is to live, and I cannot wait to spend more time with you all at home in Youghal.
“Of course, I’m sad to be giving up something I’ve been lucky enough to have called a job for so long, but the truth is I’ve never actually worked a day in my life,” he added.
Perhaps more than anything, Russell’s long career has been a testimony to perseverance.
Employed as number one jockey by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud team, he was famously fired by the Ryanair boss at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve 2013 after being invited for a cup of tea.
It was a blow that could have torpedoed his career but determined to continue as an elite rider, Russell rebuilt his career as well as ultimately his relationship with the mercurial businessman.
It paid off in spades with the diminutive Tiger Roll who won the Aintree National under Russell in both 2018 and 2019. He was the first horse since Red Rum to bring off the double. Any hopes of a hat-trick were foiled by the Covid-19 pandemic when the race was abandoned.
Russell’s resolution was underlined too when he returned to riding in September 2021 after almost a year out of action due to serious injuries.
A fall from Doctor Duffy in the 2020 Munster National at Limerick came close to leaving him with life changing injuries after fracturing his C6 and C7 vertebrae and dislocating his T1.
O’Leary was among those who advised Russell to retire. Once again though the Cork man was determined to do things his own way.
“When I broke my neck I got a bit of a shock. People thought I was going to retire. If the injury stopped me fine, but I was happy to do it on my own terms.
“It is testament to my family who never questioned my decisions, albeit how strange at the time they seemed. But I was of the opinion I needed something to push me through the rehabilitation and the best incentive was getting back to ride,” he said on Sunday.
On his return there were no signs of any change in his riding as he secured more Grade 1 glory on horses such as Galvin (Savills Chase) and Conflated (Irish Gold Cup.)
He retires with 58 top-flight winners to his name in Ireland, Britain and France. With 25 Cheltenham festival winners, only Walsh, Geraghty and Tony McCoy have ridden more at jump racing’s most important meeting. Russell was champion jockey in Ireland in 2012, 2013 and 2018.
In his statement he paid tribute to Elliott, who trained Tiger Roll and Sunday’s winner, Liberty Dance.
“We rode together as amateurs, and I’ve been lucky enough to watch you become the trainer you are today. For the last few years, you have made me part of your team and have always done everything to help me asking for nothing in return,” Russell said.
As for any plans after a more relaxing Christmas than usual, Russell appeared to rule out any move into training.
“I have five children and plenty of work to do. I’d love the romance of training, but to start back at zero at 43 years of age would be difficult.
“It would depend on if the kids wanted to ride in point to points or whatever in 10 years’ time that I might train a few point to pointers or whatever. I’m at the very top now and to go back to zero (training) would be tough,” he said.
“I dreamed about it (a career as a successful jockey), but never thought my dreams would come to fruition,” he added.
