Grand National legend Davy Russell announces immediate retirement aged 43 after riding one final winner
GRAND NATIONAL legend Davy Russell has announced his immediate retirement from racing.
The dual National hero on the incredible Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019 retired after one final winner at Thurles on Sunday.
PA:Press AssociationRussell will be best known for winning the Grand National twice on Tiger Roll[/caption]
ReutersThe legendary Irish jockey won the Grand National in 2018 and 2019 with Gordon Elliott’s chaser[/caption]
Russell won on Liberty Dance at the Irish racetrack and was mobbed by punters as he rode in.
The 43-year-old hangs up his saddle after an amazing career – and some terrible injuries.
The latest saw him come back from having bolts drilled in his head after breaking his neck.
Russell was given just a ten per cent chance of ever walking again after smashing into the turf in October 2020.
But he fought back to ride again, just being denied what would have turned out to be a fairytale Cheltenham Festival goodbye back in March when Delta Work pipped Tiger Roll at the death in the Cross Country.
Liberty Dance’s owner Tim O’Driscoll summed up the opinion of many when, speaking after his horse’s win, he said: “He’s a genius.”
Most read in Horse Racing
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as cash if it loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Russell’s retirement comes a day after Flat icon Frankie Dettori announced next season will be his last.
Given his age and the dangers inherit in jump racing, Russell had hinted recently the curtain may be coming down on his career.
But it is unusual for a jockey to call it quits mid-season, especially with so many big races still to come.
Russell has found himself supplanted as Gordon Elliott’s No1 rider by Jack Kennedy.
More to follow.
