Jason Callaghan 

Since a teenager, Sheffield-born Jason Glen Callaghan had worked for George Moore, so it was fitting that his final ride as a jockey – and also his final winner – should have been for that trainer.

Riding Major Sponsor to victory at Sedgefield on July 27, 2000. Jason dismounted and promptly announced his retirement.

Quitting the saddle had been on his mind for a few weeks and he’d decided that the next time he rode a winner would be his last.

He’d suffered a few injuries and had, the previous season, spent a lot of time off. He’d also found the influx of new, young jockeys difficult to cope with.

Jason told reporters that he wanted to give it up before it gave him up.

His career had thrown up some special moments: he’d broken Royal Vacation in before steering him to victory in 16 races.

Then there was his ride on Radical Lady in the Grand National. Jason, then aged 23, finished 19th behind Party Politics. This was his first-ever trip to Aintree and he got there early that morning to walk the course.

He said after the race: “I had a dream of a ride but we were outpaced from start to finish.”

Born on November 27, 1968, he had ridden four winners on the Flat before embarking on a career over jumps. The first of those was on Quality Chorister in the Ford Apprentice Handicap at Newcastle on July 27, 1985. His three other Flat wins were all gained in 1986.

Having left school at 16, Jason had just those couple of seasons on the Flat, then thirteen more over the jumps. In total, he rode around 220 winners.

He was unlucky when riding Queen’s Bay Lad at Sedgefield on April 3, 1990. He was well clear of the 6/4 favourite when he came down at the last. Jason was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected broken left wrist.

In fact, right up to riding his last winner there, Sedgefield had become a bit of a jinx for him. He had had another a bad fall there on Wednesday, January 27, 1993. He was taken to North Tees Hospital in Stockton after a fall from Stags Fell in the Winter Sports Handicap Chase. The then Middleham-based rider was out of action for a week. 

On Friday, October 11, 1991, Jason lost his right to claim when winning on Stags Fell in the Heineken Novices’ Chase at Carlisle.

Another long-term associate was trainer Mick Hammond who said, “I’ve known Jason since he was an apprentice on the Flat. He’s a smashing lad and I’m delighted he’s gone out on a winner.”

Jason remained in racing, riding out for Mark Johnston and also taking up Moore’s offer to join him as assistant trainer.

He now works for the British Horseracing Authority as a starter.