Colm McCormack
Northern jump jockey Colm McCormack announced his retirement from race-riding at the age of 31 after partnering his 25th domestic winner on Wye Aye at Newcastle on Grand National day 2021. However, a score of 25 winners in Britain belies the success he achieved abroad.
Northern jump jockey Colm McCormack announced his retirement from race-riding at the age of 31 after partnering his 25th domestic winner on Wye Aye at Newcastle on Grand National day 2021. However, a score of 25 winners in Britain belies the success he achieved abroad.
Having had his first ride in his native Ireland in May 2007, Colm went on to record 61 winners throughout his career, his other successes coming in France and Italy. He spent eight summers riding in France for leading trainer Guillaume Macaire and rode 30-odd winners for him.
Having had his first ride in his native Ireland in May 2007, Colm went on to record 61 winners throughout his career, his other successes coming in France and Italy. He spent eight summers riding in France for leading trainer Guillaume Macaire and rode 30-odd winners for him.
In 2016, Colm was awarded Jump Ride of the Year at the annual Lesters awards for his win on Fiddler’s Flight at Sedgefield, performing acrobatics when in rear, almost unseating and being forced out of his irons before rallying late to win.
In 2016, Colm was awarded Jump Ride of the Year at the annual Lesters awards for his win on Fiddler’s Flight at Sedgefield, performing acrobatics when in rear, almost unseating and being forced out of his irons before rallying late to win.
In October 2017 he travelled to Prague to ride in the Velka Pardubicka on the Macaire-trained Songe D’Estruval. Sadly, the trip was unsuccessful as they parted company at the 19th fence.
In October 2017 he travelled to Prague to ride in the Velka Pardubicka on the Macaire-trained Songe D’Estruval. Sadly, the trip was unsuccessful as they parted company at the 19th fence.
Based at Saltburn in North Yorkshire, Colm rode for the likes of Dianne Sayer, Rebecca Menzies and Ken Slack during his career. However, his last two wins were for Philip Kirby on Wye Aye, the first of those being at Huntingdon on March 23. His final win came when guiding Why Aye, the 6-4 favourite, to a comfortable success in a 2m 7½f handicap chase at Newcastle on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Based at Saltburn in North Yorkshire, Colm rode for the likes of Dianne Sayer, Rebecca Menzies and Ken Slack during his career. However, his last two wins were for Philip Kirby on Wye Aye, the first of those being at Huntingdon on March 23. His final win came when guiding Why Aye, the 6-4 favourite, to a comfortable success in a 2m 7½f handicap chase at Newcastle on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
That day’s headlines were made by Rachael Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, but Colm McCormack had every reason to be proud of going out on his own terms.
That day’s headlines were made by Rachael Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, but Colm McCormack had every reason to be proud of going out on his own terms.
“I’m hanging up my boots after that one,” he told the press after returning to unsaddle. “I’m finishing on a winner and it couldn’t be better. It’s a great job; there’s a great group of lads in the weighing room and great craic every time you go racing. I've enjoyed every minute of it.”
“I’m hanging up my boots after that one,” he told the press after returning to unsaddle. “I’m finishing on a winner and it couldn’t be better. It’s a great job; there’s a great group of lads in the weighing room and great craic every time you go racing. I've enjoyed every minute of it.”