Grand National - Jockeys

Jockeys

When the concept of the Grand National was first envisaged it was designed as a race for gentlemen riders, meaning men who were not paid to compete, and while this was written into the conditions of the early races many of the riders who weighed out for the 1839 race were professionals for hire. Throughout the Victorian era the line between the amateur and professional sportsman existed only in terms of the rider's status, and the engagement of an amateur to ride in the race was rarely considered a handicap to a contender's chances of winning. Many gentleman riders won the race prior to the First World War.

Although the number of amateurs remained high between the wars their ability to match their professional counterparts gradually receded. After the Second World War it became rare for any more than four or five amateurs to take part in any given year, despite many fine performances from amateur riders, including some victories around the start of the 21st century. By the 21st century, however, openings for amateur riders had become very rare with some years passing with no amateur riders at all taking part. Those that do in the modern era are most usually talented young riders who are often close to turning professional. In the past, such amateur riders would have been joined by army officers, such as David Campbell who won in 1896, and sporting aristocrats, farmers or local huntsmen and point to point riders, who usually opted to ride their own mounts. But all these genres of rider have faded out in the last quarter of a century with no riders of military rank or aristocratic title having taken a mount since 1982.

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 made it possible for female jockeys to enter the race. To date, fourteen have done so, although mainly on outsiders with little chance of winning. The first female jockey to enter the race was Charlotte Brew on the 200/1 outsider Barony Fort in the 1977 race. The 21st century has not seen a significant increase in female riders but it has seen them gain rides on mounts considered to have a genuine chance of winning. In 2012, Nina Carberry became the first female jockey to take her fourth ride in the Grand National; she completed the course three times, her best being seventh place in 2010. In 2012, Katie Walsh completed the course on Seabass, finishing in third place — the best result yet for a female jockey.

Professionals now hold dominance in the Grand National and better training, dietary habits and protective clothing has ensured that riders' careers last much longer and offer more opportunities to ride in the race. Of the 28 riders who have enjoyed 13 or more rides in the race, 17 had their first ride in the 20th century and six of those had careers that continued into the 21st century. Longevity is no guarantee of success. however, as ten of the 28 never tasted the glory of winning the race. Tony McCoy had been a 11th member of this group prior to winning the race at the 15th attempt in 2010 and in the process avoiding sharing the record for the most rides without ever being victorious; that honour still being held solely by Jeff King who, in 15 attempts from 1964–1980, never bettered third place. The other nine riders who never won or have not as yet won, having had more than 12 rides in the race are:

• Bill Parvin (1926–1939): finished second once in 14 attempts;
• Richard Johnson (1997–2010): finished second once in 14 attempts;
• Graham Bradley (1983–1999): finished second once in 14 attempts;
• Chris Grant (1980–1994): finished second three times in 13 attempts;
• Stan Mellor (1956–1971): finished second once in 13 attempts;
• David Nicholson (1957–1973): never in first three in 13 attempts;
• George Waddington (1861–1882): finished second once in 13 attempts;
• Walter White (1854–1869): finished second once in 13 attempts;
• Robert Thornton (1997–2009): never in first three in 13 attempts.

Many well-known jockeys have failed to win the Grand National. These include champion jockeys such as Terry Biddlecombe, John Francome, Josh Gifford, Stan Mellor, Jonjo O'Neill (who never finished the race), Fred Rimell and Peter Scudamore. More recently, Richard Johnson and Adrian Maguire have failed to win the race. Three jockeys who led over the last fence in the National but lost the race on the run-in ended up as television commentators: Lord Oaksey (on Carrickbeg in 1963), Norman Williamson (on Mely Moss in 2000), and Richard Pitman (on Crisp in 1973). Pitman's son Mark also led over the last fence, only to be pipped at the post when riding Garrison Savannah in 1991.