Fehily calls time on career after 50-1 win
Jockey springs two surprises on same day Geraghty relieved to be back among the winners
On a day when pretty much everything went to script, it was jockey Noel Fehily who caused the two biggest surprises – announcing his retirement after getting 50-1 shot Eglantine Du Seuil home in a photo finish for the National Hunt Breeders Tattersalls Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
She was a seventh Festival winner for the jockey, who had an appendix operation at Christmas and then had to return to hospital after he had begun riding again when complications set in.
Although plenty have ridden more Festival winners, few can claim two Champion Hurdles, on Rock on Ruby and Buveur D’air, and a Champion Chase, on Special Tiara, in their haul.
Speaking after the race Fehily, 43, said: “This is going to be my last Festival as I’m getting a bit old for this job now. I’m not getting any younger and it is a young man’s game. I’ve been thinking about retiring for a couple of weeks. I just thought it was time to let the young lads get on with it. I haven’t spoken to any of the trainers I ride for so it will probably be a couple of weeks but we’ll play it by ear. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I suppose I’ll have to start working now.”
Barry Geraghty was a late arrival to the competition to be leading jockey after a quick-fire double for owner JP Mcmanus on 3-1 favourite Defi Du Seuil in the JLT Novices’ Chase and 4-1 favourite Sire Du Berlais in the Pertemps Final.
“He was a willing partner but I was needing the line,” he said after getting Sire Du Berlais home a neck ahead of the 40-1 shot Tobefair. “When I had collared Mark [Walsh] on the right I had Bellsy [Tom Bellamy] coming at me on the left. It’s just brilliant to get winners. There are some good riders not riding winners here and I was feeling sorry for myself.”
While Sire Du Berlais was one of three winners on the day for Mcmanus, Tobefair’s connections planned to celebrate like he had won. Two years ago he had been favourite for the Pertemps after a string of wins. “I felt we had unfinished business,” said trainer Debra Hamer. “He didn’t take to fences and he wasn’t right when he came here two years ago, but today he was the horse we have at home.”
Geraghty’s two winners, plus several places, mean that although he is tied with Mark Walsh, Nico de Boinville and Jamie Codd, he is in front on countback. Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and Gordon Elliott all have three winners each and lead the trainers’ race.
Completing yesterday’s almost perfect script, after getting some unwarranted stick from the British Horseracing Authority on Tuesday after the National Hunt Chase, there was only one faller and one unseated in the 24-runner amateur riders’ race, the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge. The race was won by Any Second Now.