Richie McGrath
Jump jockey Richie McGrath was born on May 11, 1976.
Jump jockey Richie McGrath was born on May 11, 1976.
He achieved his greatest success in the saddle when winning the 2003 Scottish Grand National on Ryalux, trained by Andy Crook, beating the AP McCoy-ridden Stormez by a neck. It was deserved consolation for horse and rider following two defeats earlier that season, having finished second, beaten a head in the Great Yorkshire Chase and third in Kempton’s Racing Post Chase.
He achieved his greatest success in the saddle when winning the 2003 Scottish Grand National on Ryalux, trained by Andy Crook, beating the AP McCoy-ridden Stormez by a neck. It was deserved consolation for horse and rider following two defeats earlier that season, having finished second, beaten a head in the Great Yorkshire Chase and third in Kempton’s Racing Post Chase.
Richie rode his last two winners for trainer Philip Kirby, namely Ustica in a Newcastle bumper on March 4 and Just Cameron in a Carlisle novices’ hurdle on March 6, 2014. Seven days after that final victory, March 13, he suffered a back fracture in a fall from Rojo Vivo in the four-mile Hexham Handicap Chase. He did not ride in races again following that spill.
Richie rode his last two winners for trainer Philip Kirby, namely Ustica in a Newcastle bumper on March 4 and Just Cameron in a Carlisle novices’ hurdle on March 6, 2014. Seven days after that final victory, March 13, he suffered a back fracture in a fall from Rojo Vivo in the four-mile Hexham Handicap Chase. He did not ride in races again following that spill.
In April 2015, Richie, along with former trainer Kate Walton, was cleared of all charges following the British Horseracing Authority’s long-running inquiry into possible breaches of the anti-corruption rules. The BHA’s disciplinary panel decided that the main charges were not proven, finding only that he had given Rumble Of Thunder a “schooling run” in a race at Fakenham on January 1, 2011.
In April 2015, Richie, along with former trainer Kate Walton, was cleared of all charges following the British Horseracing Authority’s long-running inquiry into possible breaches of the anti-corruption rules. The BHA’s disciplinary panel decided that the main charges were not proven, finding only that he had given Rumble Of Thunder a “schooling run” in a race at Fakenham on January 1, 2011.
The BHA’s original charges in the case listed a total of 57 horses ridden by Richie that the regulator claimed had formed part of the alleged conspiracy. The fact that its disciplinary panel found only a minor breach in one instance and dismissed the other 56 will was a highly embarrassing outcome for the BHA and its security department.
The BHA’s original charges in the case listed a total of 57 horses ridden by Richie that the regulator claimed had formed part of the alleged conspiracy. The fact that its disciplinary panel found only a minor breach in one instance and dismissed the other 56 will was a highly embarrassing outcome for the BHA and its security department.
Richie now runs a successful pre-training, sales preparation and breaking yard, based at Sharpe Hill Farm Middleham, North Yorkshire.
Richie now runs a successful pre-training, sales preparation and breaking yard, based at Sharpe Hill Farm Middleham, North Yorkshire.