Ryan Mahon
When, on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, Ryan Mahon stepped into the paddock at Warwick to ride Rhuby River for trainer Robin Dickin, it was his first appearance as a jockey on a British racecourse.
When, on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, Ryan Mahon stepped into the paddock at Warwick to ride Rhuby River for trainer Robin Dickin, it was his first appearance as a jockey on a British racecourse.
Priced at 40/1 and, on Betfair, at 54/1, hopes of a winning start for the young amateur were slim, and so it proved, his debut mount toiling home twelfth of the fifteen runners.
Priced at 40/1 and, on Betfair, at 54/1, hopes of a winning start for the young amateur were slim, and so it proved, his debut mount toiling home twelfth of the fifteen runners.
Ryan's only other ride that year came three days later aboard Regal Term, again for Robin Dickin, at Newbury. The 33/1 (64/1 Betfair) chance finished tenth of the twelve that finished.
Ryan's only other ride that year came three days later aboard Regal Term, again for Robin Dickin, at Newbury. The 33/1 (64/1 Betfair) chance finished tenth of the twelve that finished.
Then, in 2008, two things happened which thrust Ryan in the limelight.
Then, in 2008, two things happened which thrust Ryan in the limelight.
First, after finish fourth on the modest Tribal Venture at Bangor-on-Dee, Ryan rode a stunning treble in the space of a week: Foolish Myth at Newton Abbot, Hoof It Harry at Plumpton then Ede'iff at Ludlow.
First, after finish fourth on the modest Tribal Venture at Bangor-on-Dee, Ryan rode a stunning treble in the space of a week: Foolish Myth at Newton Abbot, Hoof It Harry at Plumpton then Ede'iff at Ludlow.
Advantageously, all three wins were for different trainers, each of whom would use Ryan again.
Advantageously, all three wins were for different trainers, each of whom would use Ryan again.
That year, on 21 October at Exeter, Ryan had his first ride (Bump In The Night) for top trainer Paul Nicholls, finishing second of fourteen. Paul liked what he saw and would turn to the fledgling jockey many times in the future.
That year, on 21 October at Exeter, Ryan had his first ride (Bump In The Night) for top trainer Paul Nicholls, finishing second of fourteen. Paul liked what he saw and would turn to the fledgling jockey many times in the future.
Ryan joined Paul at Ditcheat in 2008.
Ryan joined Paul at Ditcheat in 2008.
Things were going well. Then - disaster.
Things were going well. Then - disaster.
In August that year, Ryan was waylaid at the British Racing School by a testing team from the British Racing Authority, demanding that he provide them with a urine sample.
In August that year, Ryan was waylaid at the British Racing School by a testing team from the British Racing Authority, demanding that he provide them with a urine sample.
Paul Struthers, the BHA media manager, said later: 'We conduct tests of jockeys both on the racecourse and at the racing schools. If a rider cannot provide a sample immediately, he is told to drink some water and bring a sample as soon as possible.'
Paul Struthers, the BHA media manager, said later: 'We conduct tests of jockeys both on the racecourse and at the racing schools. If a rider cannot provide a sample immediately, he is told to drink some water and bring a sample as soon as possible.'
Ryan did produce one, but it was cold.
Ryan did produce one, but it was cold.
The testers realised immediately from its temperature that it could not have been passed recently and must have been one that he had brought with him. Ryan was asked to drink some water and then provide a sample, but he left without doing so.
The testers realised immediately from its temperature that it could not have been passed recently and must have been one that he had brought with him. Ryan was asked to drink some water and then provide a sample, but he left without doing so.
Having ridden Festival Dreams at Lingfield on December 2, Ryan then prepared to face the music.
Having ridden Festival Dreams at Lingfield on December 2, Ryan then prepared to face the music.
It came a week before Christmas.
It came a week before Christmas.
He was banned for seven months.
He was banned for seven months.
The entry point for an offence under this rule is a six-month ban - the fact that he was banned for seven suggests that the panel took into account factors that aggravated the penalty up.
The entry point for an offence under this rule is a six-month ban - the fact that he was banned for seven suggests that the panel took into account factors that aggravated the penalty up.
Ryan was not seen back in the saddle until 30 July the following year. He rode Letitbeasurprise for Paul Henderson, just one of several leading trainers who remained loyal to the errant jockey. Paul Nichols and Bill Turner also stuck with him.
Ryan was not seen back in the saddle until 30 July the following year. He rode Letitbeasurprise for Paul Henderson, just one of several leading trainers who remained loyal to the errant jockey. Paul Nichols and Bill Turner also stuck with him.
Ryan's comeback winner was Blue Teen at Sandown on 19 February the next year. Considering that his previous winner had been the last leg of his treble on 15 May, 2008, it had been a long wait.
Ryan's comeback winner was Blue Teen at Sandown on 19 February the next year. Considering that his previous winner had been the last leg of his treble on 15 May, 2008, it had been a long wait.
A blow so severe, particularly at such an early stage of a career, would have finished most youngsters, but Ryan was made of sterner stuff. He went on to become the Champion Amateur Rider for the 2011/12 season, a tribute to his tenacity and self-belief.
A blow so severe, particularly at such an early stage of a career, would have finished most youngsters, but Ryan was made of sterner stuff. He went on to become the Champion Amateur Rider for the 2011/12 season, a tribute to his tenacity and self-belief.
Ryan, originally from Warwickshire, then turned professional.
Ryan, originally from Warwickshire, then turned professional.
Ryan rewarded Paul Nichols's loyalty by winning on Woolcombe Folly at Cheltenham, Pacha Du Polder in the Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap Chase at Newbury, Royal Rebellion in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree and Sire Collonges in the Glenfarclas cross country chase at Cheltenham.
Ryan rewarded Paul Nichols's loyalty by winning on Woolcombe Folly at Cheltenham, Pacha Du Polder in the Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap Chase at Newbury, Royal Rebellion in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree and Sire Collonges in the Glenfarclas cross country chase at Cheltenham.
Ryan also rode a number of winners in France for top trainer Guilliaume Macaire.
Ryan also rode a number of winners in France for top trainer Guilliaume Macaire.
By 18 July, 2014, Ryan has ridden 78 winners: 33 over fences, 40 over hurdles and 5 National Hunt Flat.
By 18 July, 2014, Ryan has ridden 78 winners: 33 over fences, 40 over hurdles and 5 National Hunt Flat.
By 2017, as rides dried up, Ryan had disappeared from the racing scene. Initially a lad of great talent and promise, a mistake made as a young man in August 2008 had proved to be his undoing. He was finished.
By 2017, as rides dried up, Ryan had disappeared from the racing scene. Initially a lad of great talent and promise, a mistake made as a young man in August 2008 had proved to be his undoing. He was finished.