Jerry McGrath
The son of a dairy farmer, Jeremiah (Jerry) McGrath grew up around horses, but without a keen interest in the sport until he attended RACE (Racing Academy and Centre of Education) at the Curragh, which was followed by a spell with trainer Dermot Weld.
The son of a dairy farmer, Jeremiah (Jerry) McGrath grew up around horses, but without a keen interest in the sport until he attended RACE (Racing Academy and Centre of Education) at the Curragh, which was followed by a spell with trainer Dermot Weld.
At the insistence of his mother – a retired primary school teacher – he returned to his studies to complete his leaving certificate. Soon after, he crossed the Irish Sea and linked up with Brendan Powell in Lambourn. Brendan gave him his first winner, Bathwick Quest in a Newton Abbot bumper on August 20, 2008.
At the insistence of his mother – a retired primary school teacher – he returned to his studies to complete his leaving certificate. Soon after, he crossed the Irish Sea and linked up with Brendan Powell in Lambourn. Brendan gave him his first winner, Bathwick Quest in a Newton Abbot bumper on August 20, 2008.
Jerry went on to become a stalwart at Nicky Henderson’s all-conquering operation and landed the Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2012 on Une Artiste. He gained a second Festival victory on Beware The Bear won the Ultima Handicap Chase in 2019.
Jerry went on to become a stalwart at Nicky Henderson’s all-conquering operation and landed the Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2012 on Une Artiste. He gained a second Festival victory on Beware The Bear won the Ultima Handicap Chase in 2019.
Ironically, having avoided serious injury riding over hurdles and fences, Jerry’s career was ended by a fall in an all-weather bumper at Lingfield Park on January 18, 2021. His mount, Vegas Blue, stumbled and fell after being short of room. Jerry dislocated and fractured his left shoulder and hip.
Ironically, having avoided serious injury riding over hurdles and fences, Jerry’s career was ended by a fall in an all-weather bumper at Lingfield Park on January 18, 2021. His mount, Vegas Blue, stumbled and fell after being short of room. Jerry dislocated and fractured his left shoulder and hip.
After leaving hospital, he spent a month at Oaksey House, the jockey rehabilitation centre in Lambourn. He resumed riding out in September. However, while the hip had healed relatively well, the shoulder was still giving him trouble, as there was a lot of nerve damage. His bicep ruptured and was constantly tensed. When he began strenuous exercise, such as riding out, the shoulder kept popping out.
After leaving hospital, he spent a month at Oaksey House, the jockey rehabilitation centre in Lambourn. He resumed riding out in September. However, while the hip had healed relatively well, the shoulder was still giving him trouble, as there was a lot of nerve damage. His bicep ruptured and was constantly tensed. When he began strenuous exercise, such as riding out, the shoulder kept popping out.
The BHA’s medical adviser Jerry Hill advised there wasn’t much that could be done, and so Jerry reluctantly announced his retirement from the saddle in January 2022.
The BHA’s medical adviser Jerry Hill advised there wasn’t much that could be done, and so Jerry reluctantly announced his retirement from the saddle in January 2022.
He rode more than 200 winners and rated Simonsig as his favourite horse. He admitted he was not “at total peace” with retirement but had accepted the situation.
He rode more than 200 winners and rated Simonsig as his favourite horse. He admitted he was not “at total peace” with retirement but had accepted the situation.
He added: “I have no regrets, but would love to have ridden a Grade 1 winner and Musselburgh was the only course I didn't have a winner. I'd have loved the whole set."
He added: “I have no regrets, but would love to have ridden a Grade 1 winner and Musselburgh was the only course I didn't have a winner. I'd have loved the whole set."
Having no desire to train, he saw the next step as a career in bloodstock, an area in which he had become involved under the guidance of David Minton during his time off.
Having no desire to train, he saw the next step as a career in bloodstock, an area in which he had become involved under the guidance of David Minton during his time off.