Geraghty looks to future after hanging up saddle
Barry Geraghty is looking forward to the next chapter in his life and career after announcing his retirement from the saddle.
The 40-year-old took to Twitter late on Saturday evening to confirm his illustrious career had come to an end, having ridden a whole host of big-race winners – including the Grand National aboard Monty’s Pass in 2003 and a massive haul of 43 victories at the Cheltenham Festival. Geraghty, below, feels injuries have finally caught up with him, and the time has come for him to call it a day.
“I’m 41 in September, and you can’t go on forever,” he said. “I’ve missed 18 months of the last five years through injury, having broken both legs, both arms, my ribs, shoulder blade and a few other small fractures in between. My last injury, the leg break on the eve of the 2019 Grand National at Aintree, was a real test and hard to take. It made me appreciate the importance of getting back into a scenario where I could go out on my own terms rather than being stretchered off.
“I’m going to miss the buzz. You can’t replace the thrill of riding horses like Epatante and Defi Du Seuil, but that’s just part of life and I’m going to have to enjoy watching them from the stands.
“I still very much want to be involved in racing – and although the buzz of race riding is irreplaceable, I’ll need to try and get some fulfilment by working with horses, whether it be here at home or riding out at yards, so I’ll be doing a bit of that.”
Meanwhile, Rowan Scott has just two winners to go before riding out his 3lb allowance after Acklam Express landed the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Auction Stakes at Hamilton Park yesterday. Sent off at 7-1, the Nigel Tinkler-trained gelding appeared late on the scene to beat Madreselva by a length and a quarter.
Hawick-born Scott said: “He was very green on his debut at Beverley and is still learning. It was all about keeping him in a straight line last time but he came good when I asked him to quicken today.
“Fingers crossed I will lose the allowance quickly but then the hard work really begins.”
Brian Ellison’s Tommy Tittlemouse made a winning debut in the Watch On Racing TV Maiden Stakes over six furlongs as he saw off Bergerac by a short-head and jockey Ben Robinson said: “It was a good performance as he’s beaten a horse with experience.”
The form of Smeaton’s course and distance win two weeks ago is looking strong as the winner went in again in the final event while secondplaced Flying Moon and third home Ey Up Its Mick (already a winner since at Haydock) were both successful earlier on in races four and six respectively.
Tim Easterby’s Noddyolder has shown hints of ability over six furlongs and will be suited by going up in trip for the Turnberry Handicap at Ayr today.
He ran on into a never nearer fifth of 12 at Haydock last time out and this race might not be as competitive. Easterby also has a strong chance in the Jordan Electrics Classified Stakes as Travel Lightly looks to follow up last week’s Thirsk win.