Irish Grand National Top Jockeys

Since its first run in 1870, the Irish Grand National has seen very few repeat wins by horses. What it has seen, though, is many consecutive wins by particular trainers and jockeys.

Of the world-class jockeys who’ve won the Irish Grand National in modern times, Ruby Walsh and the Carberry family (including Tommy Carberry and sons Philip and Paul Carberry) stand out as the Irish Grand National top jockeys. Tony McCoy, with his 2007 Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National win, is another famous jockey who everyone will be watching in 2009.

Ruby Walsh is the only jockey in modern times to have won all four Grand Nationals, in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. His list of Cheltenham wins is formidable. Walsh has taken the Irish Grand National twice, on Commanche Court (at the young age of 20) in 2000, and again in 2005, riding Martin Brassil-trained Numbersixvervalde. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007, and took 3 titles in 2008 – The Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle and the Triumph Hurdle.

Three members of the Carberry family stand out as Irish Grand National top jockeys. Tommy Carberry won the Irish Grand National in two consecutive years – 1975 and 1976 – riding Brown Lad. In 1998, he trained Bobbyjo, who then raced to victory in the Irish Grand National ridden by son Paul Carberry. In 2006, Philip Carberry took the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National riding Point Barrow, trained by Pat Hughes. Paul and Philip’s sister, Nina Carberry, is currently recognised as a top amateur rider.

Tony McCoy is recognised as one of the top National Hunt racing jockeys. He won the 2007 Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National riding Butler’s Cabin, trained by Jonjo O’Neill.

Check our Ruby Walsh, Paul and Philip Carberry, and Tony McCoy pages for profiles on these extraordinary top jockeys.

A betting tip for the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National is to look to jockeys – top jockeys and trainers mean top-performing horses.