The Irish Grand National is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in Ireland. It regularly attracts the best horses, trainers, and jockeys in the world every year.
Horse racing in Ireland is intrinsically linked with both Irish society and culture. Horse racing has a long history in Ireland, referenced in some of Ireland’s earliest texts.
The Irish Grand National is one of Ireland’s most famous horse racing events. It attracts many viewers, from hardcore fans to casuals. Many of which enjoy making a cheeky bet or two on the race proceedings.
When it comes to Irish grand national betting, there are many great Irish websites to gamble on, such as Boylesports, which is the largest independently owned bookmaker in Ireland and has over 375 shops in the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
The Irish Grand National has produced some of the greatest moments in Irish racing history. Thus, the jockeys on our list have all played a significant role in that. This article will list what we believe to be the top five most successful Irish Grand National jockeys of all time.
5. Paul Carberry – son of the famous Tommy Carberry
Paul Carberry, the son of Tommy Carberry, has certainly followed in his father’s footsteps regarding having a successful career as a jockey.
He won the Irish Grand National riding Bobbyjo (1998) and also won many other major races throughout his career, which helped to cement his place as one of the best Irish Grand National jockeys in Irish racing history.
4. Tommy Carberry – a legendary jockey
Tommy Carberry, the father of our last entry, is another legendary jockey who has greatly succeeded in the Irish Grand National. He was the first jockey to win the Aintree and Irish Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in a single season.
Tommy Carberry won the Irish Grand National back-to-back with Brown Lad in 1975 and 1976, and after retirement, he became a successful trainer.
3. Tony McCoy – one of the greatest jump jockeys of all time
Widely regarded as one of the greatest jump jockeys of all time, Tony McCoy won the Irish Grand National in 2007 riding Butlers Cabin.
McCoy also won the famous and prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup and many other major races throughout his illustrious career, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, King George VI Chase and the 2010 Grand National.
He was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2010. Then, in December 2013, he was named RTÉ Sports Person of the Year. He was honoured for his services to the sport of horse racing by being knighted in January 2016.
2. Ruby Walsh – has enjoyed incredible success in the Irish Grand National
Ruby Walsh is another outstanding Irish jockey with incredible success in the Irish Grand National. He has won the race three times, riding Commanche Court (2000), Numbersixvalverde (2005), and Burrows Saint (2019).
With numerous race successes throughout his career, including 59 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, Walsh is the third most prolific winner in British and Irish jump racing history.
1. Pat Taaffe – widely regarded as the most outstanding jockey in the history of Irish horse racing
In first place on our list of the top five most successful Irish Grand National jockeys of all time is Pat Taaffe. Taaffe is widely regarded as being the most outstanding jockey in the history of Irish horse racing.
He won the Irish Grand National a whopping six times in his career, riding Royal Approach in 1954, Umm in 1955, Zonda in 1959, Fortria in 1961, Arkle in 1964 and Flyingbolt in 1966.
Pat dominated National Hunt racing in the mid-sixties, winning the Irish Grand National, the King George VI Chase, two Hennessy Gold Cups, three Cheltenham Gold Cups and the Whitbread Cup during what was an incredibly successful period for the Irishman.
That concludes our article on who we believe to be the top five most successful Irish Grand National jockeys. Do you agree with our list, or do you think some other great Irish Grand National jockeys deserve to feature?
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