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Leighton Aspell was born in Dublin, Ireland on 12 July 1976.
He learnt his trade riding out for his father Patrick before moving to Britain. He became apprenticed to Reg Hollinshead in the Midlands before joining Josh Gifford's stables at Findon in Sussex.
Soon he was riding for outside stables: trainers such as Lucy Wadham, Oliver Sherwood, Pat Murphy and Nick Gifford were happy to use him.
In 2002 he won the Wesh National on Pat Murphy's Supreme Glory: in the real thing at Aintree two years later he came second on the same horse. He won a second Welsh National when coming in for a spare ride on the Paul Nicholas trained L'Aventure, his first ride for the stable. Leighton also won the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown for Lucy Wadham aboard United.
He seemed set for a successful career: then, in July 2007, aged 31 and having ridden at Stratford for Reg Hollinshead (Pure Brief, unplaced), he suddenly announced his retirement from the saddle.
“It's game over for me,” he explained at the time. “Although it may appear that I've quit very suddenly, it was by no means a sudden decision because it's has been at the back of my mind for a couple of seasons now. I've given the matter plenty of thought.”
He added. “I had 54 winners last season, 55 the season before that, and fortunately picked up lots of rides, but deep down I've not been happy. I've tried to kid myself I was happy, but I realised there was no point in doing that, and it was beginning to affect my private life. Being a jockey is a great way of earning a living, but I knew it was time to call it a day.
“I've made the right decision, but I know I'm going to miss the adrenaline rush that happened every time I went to the start. If I'd gone three or four days without a ride, I'd miss that special buzz. It was almost like a drug. Now I must come to terms with living without it. I'm not sure what I'll do next. I've a few projects in mind, and I may return to college to get some qualifications.”
Trainer Oliver Sherwood described it as a bolt from the blue.
“I was playing golf with Peter Deal when Leighton rang with his news, and I was so shocked I almost fell over,” he said.
“The fact is he's riding better than ever, and he has the pick of my horses. While I respect his decision, I don't know his reasons, and I'm rather hoping he'll have a rethink because he has so much more to offer.”
Eighteen months later, Leighton had a complete change of heart.
“I suppose what I should have done was just take six or eight weeks off instead of stopping completely,” he reflected.
Due to a long-term injury to Dominic Elsworth, he was able to walk straight back into his old job.
“I’ve been very lucky,” he conceded. “Now that the opportunity has come along I intend to take it with both hands. I’m planning to enjoy as much as possible for as long as possible.”
His sabbatical was spent as an assistant at John Dunlop’s Arundel yard. “I was lucky to work in a yard where everything was done so well but on my weekends off I schooled a bit for Nick Gifford and local point-to-pointers and when Cheltenham and Aintree came round last spring I suddenly started to miss it."
He added that the best thing about being a jockey was getting paid for doing something he loved, seemingly prepared to go along the
No one could have foreseen the next turn of events.
On Saturday, 5 April 2014, he rode the Grand National winner Pineau De Re.
As a teenager, he had been told that he would never make a jockey. Seven years before his National win he had retired from the game, only to return 18 months later.
Aged 37, he said after the race: 'Even to get a ride in the National is a great thing, but to get one with a live chance is even better. I remember watching the National as a very young boy and, as much as sharing in everyone's success, you seek and crave a bit too. My family made the effort to come over to watch.'
Leighton married Nicola: she gave him three daughters.
He enjoys a round of golf, a pint of Guinness and is an avid Aston Villa supporter.
Leighton's younger brother Paddy is a successful jockey in the North.
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