Jodie Mogford
In October 2012, 36-year-old Jodie Mogford announced his retirement from race-riding after an 18-year career as a jump jockey.
In October 2012, 36-year-old Jodie Mogford announced his retirement from race-riding after an 18-year career as a jump jockey.
He joined Graeme McPherson's Martin Hills stables, near Stow-on-the-Wold, as assistant.
He joined Graeme McPherson's Martin Hills stables, near Stow-on-the-Wold, as assistant.
Speaking about his decision to join Martin, he said: "About halfway through last season the rides started to dry up a bit and Graeme offered me the job a few months ago," he said.
Speaking about his decision to join Martin, he said: "About halfway through last season the rides started to dry up a bit and Graeme offered me the job a few months ago," he said.
"He said the job was there when I wanted it, whether it's this season or in two years, and when you start thinking about it that's the time to pack up.
"He said the job was there when I wanted it, whether it's this season or in two years, and when you start thinking about it that's the time to pack up.
"You don't really want to be riding something in a novice chase thinking if you can get through next month, then the month after that.....although that's exactly what I did!
"You don't really want to be riding something in a novice chase thinking if you can get through next month, then the month after that.....although that's exactly what I did!
"If you asked trainers I've ridden for over the years – I've ridden for a lot of nice people and good trainers – I hope they'd say I always gave a horse a chance to win and no matter how good they were the horse always had a ride.
"If you asked trainers I've ridden for over the years – I've ridden for a lot of nice people and good trainers – I hope they'd say I always gave a horse a chance to win and no matter how good they were the horse always had a ride.
"But you get to my age as a jockey and people think you're old.
"But you get to my age as a jockey and people think you're old.
"There are 18 and 19-year-old conditional jockeys coming through the ranks and people look more toward them as a younger and more fearless jockey, whereas realistically Warren Marston rode until he was 40 and was riding as well as when he was 18, if not better.
"There are 18 and 19-year-old conditional jockeys coming through the ranks and people look more toward them as a younger and more fearless jockey, whereas realistically Warren Marston rode until he was 40 and was riding as well as when he was 18, if not better.
"Obviously you don't get to 36, riding for 18 seasons, without learning a trick or two, but when you do get to that age the rides are going to start drying up and owners want younger lads on their horses.
"Obviously you don't get to 36, riding for 18 seasons, without learning a trick or two, but when you do get to that age the rides are going to start drying up and owners want younger lads on their horses.
"Now it's a new chapter in my life and hopefully it's one that will be successful, and I'm grateful to Graeme for giving me the chance to stay in an industry I've had so much fun in.'
"Now it's a new chapter in my life and hopefully it's one that will be successful, and I'm grateful to Graeme for giving me the chance to stay in an industry I've had so much fun in.'
Jodie rode 171 winners, winning on his very first mount, Decided, in 1965.
Jodie rode 171 winners, winning on his very first mount, Decided, in 1965.