After a career of over 20 years in the saddle and many top Grade One winners both in the UK and Ireland – we’ll see Grand National-winning jockey Daryl Jacob retiring at the end of the 2024/25 National Hunt season.
Injury-Hit Daryl Jacob Retiring At The End Of This Jumps Season
Daryl Jacob (41) has been hit by some serious injuries over the last few seasons – with his most recent having had keyhole surgery in May on an injured shoulder after he suffered a broken collarbone in a fall in Newbury.
He was back riding out over the recent August Bank Holiday weekend at Harry Derham’s yard and is all set for a return to horse racing action in the coming weeks.
However, Jacob also recently said this jumps season will be his last.
“My plan is to take it day by day and I don’t want to be setting any targets as we all know what can happen, but it will be my last season as a jockey and I’m really looking forward to it. He told the Sporting Life.
Jacob rode as second jockey at the Paul Nicholls yard behind Ruby Walsh for many years but was promoted to their main rider when the ‘Silver Fox’ jockey hung up his riding boots in 2019.
1000 Career Wins Is In Sight For Daryl Jacob
Jacob, who celebrated his 41st birthday on August 25th, is expected to still be two weeks away from a return to the track and is just a few winners short of the magic one thousand winners mark – needing just six more successes to hit the milestone.
“It’s been a slow and steady process since then but rehab has been going really well at Oaksey House after the brace I was initially wearing could come off, and I was just last week given the all-clear to start riding out again which was great news.
“I saw the specialist again last Monday and he recommended one more week of rehab, which was fine, so I’ve been down to Harry Derham’s at the earliest opportunity and I actually felt a few nerves on my way down there this morning, I must admit.
“It’s the first time I’ve sat on a horse in five months so I didn’t really know what to expect this morning but it was great to be back on a horse again, Harry’s such a good man too and a trainer really going places.
“We had a great year last year and the horses look fantastic. I’m not only excited for myself but for Harry as well, it’s great to play a small part in his team.
Jacob Will Ride A Lot For Harry Derham This Season
Jacob will be riding out a lot for the Harry Derham yard in Berkshire this year, as well as picking many spare rides from former boss Paul Nicholls.
“I’m hoping to be riding out a lot for Harry this year and will be in at Paul Nicholls’ later this week too so it’s all looking good. My strength in physio has been getting better and better and all of this is just part of the next stage for me really. Touch wood, it’s all been going smoothly and according to plan.
“Harry’s horses are looking good and he’s got a full stable there this summer, he probably has the best part of 80 horses there – maybe more.
Daryl Jacob Career In Numbers
- Rides: 6,724
- Wins: 994
- Places: 1,714
- Grade One Wins: 30
Note: Figures correct as 27th Aug 2024
What Will Daryl Jacob Do After He Retires As A Jockey?
To date, Daryl Jacob has made no firm plans on what he’ll do after he retires at the end of the 2024/25 jumps season.
However, many top jockeys either turn their hand to training or enter the world of media – just like Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald and AP McCoy have done.
Daryl Jacob Rode The 2012 Grand National Winner Neptune Collonges
Over the years Daryl Jacob had ridden many big winners – including steering home The Listener to win the Irish Gold Cup in 2008 and also won the Savills Chase on the same horse in 2006.
However, his big day in the sun was when Jacobs cemented his name in the horse racing record books by winning the 2012 Grand National on the Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges (watch below).
The pair got home by a nose in a power-packed Daryl Jacob ride – beating Sunnyhillboy. This success remains his only Grand National win and is also the only (to date) winner in the big Aintree race for multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls – the father of ITV racing presenter Megan Nicholls.
Being a grey horse, Neptune Collonges also became just the third winning horse of that colour to win the Grand National – with The Lamb (1868 and 1871) and Nicolaus Silver (1961) the others.
The best horse racing betting sites in the UK returned Neptune Collonges at odds of 33/1 when he won the 2012 Grand National.
WATCH: Neptune Collonges Winning The 2012 Grand National
Jacob Has Ridden Three Cheltenham Festival Winners
In addition to his Grand National win, Jacob as also recorded three Cheltenham Festival winners during his career – with the first coming on Zarkander in the 2011 Triumph Hurdle (watch below).
His other Festival wins to date are Lac Fontana in the 2014 County Hurdle and Concertista in the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in 2020.
WATCH: Zarkander Winning The 2011 Triumph Hurdle
Jacob Won The 2008 Irish Gold Cup On The Listener
Jacob is also no stranger to riding big-race winners in his homeland of Ireland – having made a name for himself in the Emerald Isle between 2006 and 2008 on a horse called The Listener, who was trained in the UK by Robert Alner.
The popular staying grey horse landed the 2006 Savills Chase and also the 2008 Irish Gold Cup with Daryl Jacob riding both times.
In more recent years, Jacob has guided Readin Tommy Wrong home to win the Slaney Novice Hurdle in 2024 – when riding for popular owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Jacob has also ridden Footpad (Ryanair Novice Chase), El Fabiolo (Irish Arkle), Fusil Raffles (Champion 4YO Hurdle) and Blue Lord (Paddy’s Reward Club Chase) for Munir and Souede in Ireland.