Davy Russell
Davy Russell
Davy Russell
Davy Russell was one of the most successful jump jockeys of all time. He rode a total of 1,589 winners in Britain and Ireland, including 61 at Grade 1 level, in a career that spanned more than 23 years. He is best known for his back-to-back victories on Tiger Roll in the 2018 and 2019 Grand Nationals and for his 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph on Lord Windermere.
Davy Russell was one of the most successful jump jockeys of all time. He rode a total of 1,589 winners in Britain and Ireland, including 61 at Grade 1 level, in a career that spanned more than 23 years. He is best known for his back-to-back victories on Tiger Roll in the 2018 and 2019 Grand Nationals and for his 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph on Lord Windermere.
David Niall Russell, the second youngest of six children, was born on 27 June 1979 and raised on the farm of his parents Jerry and Phyllis Russell in Youghal, County Cork. His father owned a few racehorses and the family walked puppies for the local hunt. Davy’s passions as a child were riding his pony, hurling, and helping his father with his horses.
David Niall Russell, the second youngest of six children, was born on 27 June 1979 and raised on the farm of his parents Jerry and Phyllis Russell in Youghal, County Cork. His father owned a few racehorses and the family walked puppies for the local hunt. Davy’s passions as a child were riding his pony, hurling, and helping his father with his horses.
Davy rode for four years as an amateur in point-to-points in Ireland, winning his first race between the flags in February 1999. His first winner under rules came aboard 10-1 chance Right’N’Royal, trained by Michael O’Connor, in the Norevale Qualified Riders’ Handicap Hurdle (Division 2) at Gowran Park on 20 May 1999.
Davy rode for four years as an amateur in point-to-points in Ireland, winning his first race between the flags in February 1999. His first winner under rules came aboard 10-1 chance Right’N’Royal, trained by Michael O’Connor, in the Norevale Qualified Riders’ Handicap Hurdle (Division 2) at Gowran Park on 20 May 1999.
In 2002 he moved to Yorkshire to ride for Ferdy Murphy at Middleham, recording his first win as a professional jockey on Inn Antique in a Sedgefield novices’ hurdle on 12 November 2002. He gained several high-profile successes during his two seasons in England, winning the Peter Marsh Chase on Truckers Tavern in 2003 and finishing second on the same horse in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. His first win as a professional in Ireland came on Colonel Monroe in a four-year-old hurdle at Limerick on 29 December 2002.
In 2002 he moved to Yorkshire to ride for Ferdy Murphy at Middleham, recording his first win as a professional jockey on Inn Antique in a Sedgefield novices’ hurdle on 12 November 2002. He gained several high-profile successes during his two seasons in England, winning the Peter Marsh Chase on Truckers Tavern in 2003 and finishing second on the same horse in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. His first win as a professional in Ireland came on Colonel Monroe in a four-year-old hurdle at Limerick on 29 December 2002.
After 14 months with Ferdy Murphy, Davy returned to Ireland and spent a season with Edward O’Grady and then two years as a freelance jockey. e achieved his first Grade 1 success on The Railway Man, trained by Arthur Moore, in the Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown in January 2006. He rode his first Cheltenham Festival winner that same year on the Philip Rothwell-trained Native Jack in the Cross-Country Chase.
After 14 months with Ferdy Murphy, Davy returned to Ireland and spent a season with Edward O’Grady and then two years as a freelance jockey. e achieved his first Grade 1 success on The Railway Man, trained by Arthur Moore, in the Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown in January 2006. He rode his first Cheltenham Festival winner that same year on the Philip Rothwell-trained Native Jack in the Cross-Country Chase.
In September 2007 he was appointed stable jockey for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. Having been runner-up for the previous five seasons, he became Ireland’s champion jockey for the first time in 2011/12 and retained the title the following season. He achieved his two greatest successes for Gigginstown with back-to-back Grand National victories on Tiger Roll.
In September 2007 he was appointed stable jockey for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. Having been runner-up for the previous five seasons, he became Ireland’s champion jockey for the first time in 2011/12 and retained the title the following season. He achieved his two greatest successes for Gigginstown with back-to-back Grand National victories on Tiger Roll.
Prior to those famous Grand National triumphs, Davy won the Irish Gold Cup in 2013 on Sir Des Champs. He won the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Jim Culloty-trained Lord Windermere in a dramatic finish, following which he had to survive a stewards’ inquiry after drifting across the runner-up On His Own.
Prior to those famous Grand National triumphs, Davy won the Irish Gold Cup in 2013 on Sir Des Champs. He won the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Jim Culloty-trained Lord Windermere in a dramatic finish, following which he had to survive a stewards’ inquiry after drifting across the runner-up On His Own.
In August 2017 he won the Galway Plate for the first time on Balko Des Flos, to add to his two earlier Galway Hurdle wins of Farmer Brown (2007) and Rebel Fitz (2012). In May 2019 Davy scored a memorable victory the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, widely regarded as the French Gold Cup, on Carriacou, trained by Isabelle Pacault.
In August 2017 he won the Galway Plate for the first time on Balko Des Flos, to add to his two earlier Galway Hurdle wins of Farmer Brown (2007) and Rebel Fitz (2012). In May 2019 Davy scored a memorable victory the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, widely regarded as the French Gold Cup, on Carriacou, trained by Isabelle Pacault.
He won the 2018 Aintree Grand National on the Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll and two weeks later was crowned champion jockey in Ireland for the third and final time with 119 wins. Davy and Tiger Roll wrote themselves into the record books when winning the Aintree Grand National for the second successive year in 2019. Tiger Roll became the first horse to achieve the feat since Red Rum in 1973 and 1974 but was denied the chance of a historic three-in-a-row by the Covid-19 pandemic which led to the race being cancelled in 2020.
He won the 2018 Aintree Grand National on the Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll and two weeks later was crowned champion jockey in Ireland for the third and final time with 119 wins. Davy and Tiger Roll wrote themselves into the record books when winning the Aintree Grand National for the second successive year in 2019. Tiger Roll became the first horse to achieve the feat since Red Rum in 1973 and 1974 but was denied the chance of a historic three-in-a-row by the Covid-19 pandemic which led to the race being cancelled in 2020.
On 11 October 2020 Davy fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae and dislocated his T1 when his mount Doctor Duffy fell the Munster National at Limerick. He underwent surgery and was on the sidelines for 11 months before finally returning to the saddle in September 2021, quashing all speculation that his career was over.
On 11 October 2020 Davy fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae and dislocated his T1 when his mount Doctor Duffy fell the Munster National at Limerick. He underwent surgery and was on the sidelines for 11 months before finally returning to the saddle in September 2021, quashing all speculation that his career was over.
The injury forced him to miss the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Prior to that, his record at the meeting had been remarkable. He rode a winner at the Festival for 13 successive years between 2006 and 2018. He was leading jockey at the meeting in 2018 with four wins. The sequence ended in 2019 but he was back among the Festival winners the following March, landing the Marsh Novices’ Chase on Samcro and the Grand Annual Chase on Chosen Mate. He rode a total of 22 Cheltenham Festival winners during his career.
The injury forced him to miss the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Prior to that, his record at the meeting had been remarkable. He rode a winner at the Festival for 13 successive years between 2006 and 2018. He was leading jockey at the meeting in 2018 with four wins. The sequence ended in 2019 but he was back among the Festival winners the following March, landing the Marsh Novices’ Chase on Samcro and the Grand Annual Chase on Chosen Mate. He rode a total of 22 Cheltenham Festival winners during his career.
At Cheltenham in March 2022, he looked to have conjured a fairytale climax to the Tiger Roll’s career when leading over the final fence in the Cross-Country Chase, only for stablemate Delta Work to spoil the party under Jack Kennedy in Michael O’Leary’s second Gigginstown colours. Having failed to ride a winner in 2022, Davy ended with a total of 25 Festival winners.
At Cheltenham in March 2022, he looked to have conjured a fairytale climax to the Tiger Roll’s career when leading over the final fence in the Cross-Country Chase, only for stablemate Delta Work to spoil the party under Jack Kennedy in Michael O’Leary’s second Gigginstown colours. Having failed to ride a winner in 2022, Davy ended with a total of 25 Festival winners.
He enjoyed further big race success in Ireland during the 2021/22 campaign, most notably on Galvin in the Savills Chase and Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup. He achieved what proved to be his final Grade 1 success on the ill-fated Three Stripe Life in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April 2022.
He enjoyed further big race success in Ireland during the 2021/22 campaign, most notably on Galvin in the Savills Chase and Conflated in the Irish Gold Cup. He achieved what proved to be his final Grade 1 success on the ill-fated Three Stripe Life in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April 2022.
Davy announced his retirement with immediate effect at the age of 43 on Sunday, 18 December 2022, after guiding the Gordon Elliott-trained Liberty Dance to victory in the Listed Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles. Given Jack Kennedy's promotion to Gigginstown’s number one retained rider, Davy did not have the same quality of firepower of previous year to call upon, yet the fact he was riding at all was a testament to his resilience.
Davy announced his retirement with immediate effect at the age of 43 on Sunday, 18 December 2022, after guiding the Gordon Elliott-trained Liberty Dance to victory in the Listed Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles. Given Jack Kennedy's promotion to Gigginstown’s number one retained rider, Davy did not have the same quality of firepower of previous year to call upon, yet the fact he was riding at all was a testament to his resilience.
However, when Kennedy broke a leg in a fall in early January 2023, Davy found himself back in the saddle at the request of Gordon Elliott, less than a month after quitting. He returned at Fairyhouse on 14 January and rode his first winner on Sa Fureur at Punchestown the next day. He won the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle on Teahupoo at Gowran Park; the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase on the ill-fated Mighty Potter, and the Leopardstown Handicap Chase on The Goffer at the Dublin Racing Festival; and the Grade 3 Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle at Naas on Irish Point.
However, when Kennedy broke a leg in a fall in early January 2023, Davy found himself back in the saddle at the request of Gordon Elliott, less than a month after quitting. He returned at Fairyhouse on 14 January and rode his first winner on Sa Fureur at Punchestown the next day. He won the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle on Teahupoo at Gowran Park; the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase on the ill-fated Mighty Potter, and the Leopardstown Handicap Chase on The Goffer at the Dublin Racing Festival; and the Grade 3 Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle at Naas on Irish Point.
Cheltenham proved a big disappointment, but he signed off in triumph at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, winning a pair of Grade 1 contests: the Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Gerri Colombe and, on Grand National day itself, April 15, 2023, the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Irish Point. He announced his retirement that afternoon but fulfilled his last two engagements on the card. His ride on Galvin in the Grand National ended at the first fence. He then finished fifth on his final ride, Por Les Filles, in the Grade 2 Weatherbys Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Cheltenham proved a big disappointment, but he signed off in triumph at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, winning a pair of Grade 1 contests: the Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Gerri Colombe and, on Grand National day itself, April 15, 2023, the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Irish Point. He announced his retirement that afternoon but fulfilled his last two engagements on the card. His ride on Galvin in the Grand National ended at the first fence. He then finished fifth on his final ride, Por Les Filles, in the Grade 2 Weatherbys Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
He is married to Edelle O’Meara, a former Irish pole vault champion. They have four children. Davy also has a daughter from a previous relationship.
He is married to Edelle O’Meara, a former Irish pole vault champion. They have four children. Davy also has a daughter from a previous relationship.
Major wins
Major wins
Grand National: Tiger Roll (2018 & 2019)
Grand National: Tiger Roll (2018 & 2019)
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Lord Windermere (2014)
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Lord Windermere (2014)
Other major wins in Britain
Other major wins in Britain
2003: Peter Marsh Chase – Truckers Tavern
2003: Peter Marsh Chase – Truckers Tavern
2006: Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase – Native Jack
2006: Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase – Native Jack
2007: Festival Trophy Handicap Chase – Joes Edge
2007: Festival Trophy Handicap Chase – Joes Edge
2007: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Naiad Du Missleot
2007: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Naiad Du Missleot
2008: Grand Annual Chase- Tiger Cry
2008: Grand Annual Chase- Tiger Cry
2009: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Weapons Amnesty
2009: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Weapons Amnesty
2009: Aintree Hurdle – Solwhit
2009: Aintree Hurdle – Solwhit
2010: RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Weapons Amnesty
2010: RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Weapons Amnesty
2010: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Carlito Brigante
2010: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Carlito Brigante
2011: Neptune Investments Management Novices’ Hurdle – First Lieutenant
2011: Neptune Investments Management Novices’ Hurdle – First Lieutenant
2011: Mildmay Novices’ Chase – Quito De La Roque
2011: Mildmay Novices’ Chase – Quito De La Roque
2012: JLT Novices’ Chase – Sir Des Champs
2012: JLT Novices’ Chase – Sir Des Champs
2013: RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Lord Windermere
2013: RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Lord Windermere
2013: Triumph Hurdle – Tiger Roll
2013: Triumph Hurdle – Tiger Roll
2014: Grand Annual Chase – Savello
2014: Grand Annual Chase – Savello
2014: Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase – Rivage D’Or
2014: Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase – Rivage D’Or
2015: Neptune Investments Novices’ Hurdle – Windsor Park
2015: Neptune Investments Novices’ Hurdle – Windsor Park
2015: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Diamond King
2015: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle – Diamond King
2016: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – Mall Dini
2016: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – Mall Dini
2017: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – Presenting Percy
2017: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – Presenting Percy
2018: RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Presenting Percy
2018: RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase – Presenting Percy
2018: Ryanair Chase – Balko Des Flos
2018: Ryanair Chase – Balko Des Flos
2018: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – Delta Work
2018: Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle – Delta Work
2018: Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate – The Storyteller
2018: Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate – The Storyteller
2019: Maghull Novices’ Chase – Ornua
2019: Maghull Novices’ Chase – Ornua
2020: Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – Envoi Allen
2020: Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – Envoi Allen
2020: Marsh Novices’ Chase – Samcro
2020: Marsh Novices’ Chase – Samcro
2020: Grand Annual Chase – Chosen Mate
2020: Grand Annual Chase – Chosen Mate
2022: Mersey Novices’ Hurdle – Three Stripe Life
2022: Mersey Novices’ Hurdle – Three Stripe Life
2023: Melling Novices’ Chase – Gerri Colombe
2023: Melling Novices’ Chase – Gerri Colombe
2023: Mersey Novices’ Hurdle – Irish Point
2023: Mersey Novices’ Hurdle – Irish Point
Major wins in Ireland
Major wins in Ireland
2005: Mares Champion Hurdle – Blazing Liss
2005: Mares Champion Hurdle – Blazing Liss
2006: Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase – The Railway Man
2006: Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase – The Railway Man
2006: Neville Hotels Novice Chase – Cailin Alainn
2006: Neville Hotels Novice Chase – Cailin Alainn
2006; Drinmore Novice Chase – Cailin Alainn
2006; Drinmore Novice Chase – Cailin Alainn
2007: Galway Hurdle – Father Brown
2007: Galway Hurdle – Father Brown
2007: Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase – Mansony
2007: Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase – Mansony
2007: Punchestown Champion Chase – Mansony
2007: Punchestown Champion Chase – Mansony
2008: Arkle Novice Chase – Thyne Again
2008: Arkle Novice Chase – Thyne Again
2008: Channelle Pharma Novice Hurdle - Forpaddydeplasterer
2008: Channelle Pharma Novice Hurdle - Forpaddydeplasterer
2008: Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle – Won In The Dark
2008: Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle – Won In The Dark
2008: Mares Champion Hurdle – Oscar Rebel
2008: Mares Champion Hurdle – Oscar Rebel
2008: Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – Oscar Dan Dan
2008: Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – Oscar Dan Dan
2009: Punchestown Champion Hurdle – Solwhit
2009: Punchestown Champion Hurdle – Solwhit
2009: Morgiana Hurdle – Solwhit
2009: Morgiana Hurdle – Solwhit
2009: Ryanair Hurdle – Solwhit
2009: Ryanair Hurdle – Solwhit
2010: Spring Juvenile Hurdle – Pittoni
2010: Spring Juvenile Hurdle – Pittoni
2010: Irish Champion Hurdle – Solwhit
2010: Irish Champion Hurdle – Solwhit
2010: Future Champions Novice Hurdle – First Lieutenant
2010: Future Champions Novice Hurdle – First Lieutenant
2010: Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final – For Bill
2010: Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final – For Bill
2010: Morgiana Hurdle – Solwhit
2010: Morgiana Hurdle – Solwhit
2011: Champion Novice Chase – Quito De La Roque
2011: Champion Novice Chase – Quito De La Roque
2011: Mares Champion Hurdle – Shop Dj
2011: Mares Champion Hurdle – Shop Dj
2011: Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final – Knockfierna
2011: Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final – Knockfierna
2011: Ladbrokes Champion Chase – Quito De La Roque
2011: Ladbrokes Champion Chase – Quito De La Roque
2012: Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase – Last Instalment
2012: Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase – Last Instalment
2012: Champion Novice Chase – Sir Des Champs
2012: Champion Novice Chase – Sir Des Champs
2012: Champion Novice Hurdle - Dedigout
2012: Champion Novice Hurdle - Dedigout
2012: Galway Hurdle – Rebel Fitz
2012: Galway Hurdle – Rebel Fitz
2013: Slaney Novice Hurdle – Rule The World
2013: Slaney Novice Hurdle – Rule The World
2013: Punchestown Gold Cup – Sir Des Champs
2013: Punchestown Gold Cup – Sir Des Champs
2013: Champion Novice Hurdle – Un Atout
2013: Champion Novice Hurdle – Un Atout
2013: Irish Champion Chase – Sir Des Champs
2013: Irish Champion Chase – Sir Des Champs
2013: Drinmore Novice Chase – Don Cossack
2013: Drinmore Novice Chase – Don Cossack
2014: Champion Stayers Hurdle – Jetson
2014: Champion Stayers Hurdle – Jetson
2015: Christmas Hurdle – Prince Of Scars
2015: Christmas Hurdle – Prince Of Scars
2016: Champion Novice Chase – Zabana
2016: Champion Novice Chase – Zabana
2017: Spring Juvenile Hurdle – Maga Fortune
2017: Spring Juvenile Hurdle – Maga Fortune
2017: Arkle Novice Chase – Some Plan
2017: Arkle Novice Chase – Some Plan
2017: Galway Plate Chase – Balko Des Flos
2017: Galway Plate Chase – Balko Des Flos
2017: Drinmore Novice Chase – Death Duty
2017: Drinmore Novice Chase – Death Duty
2017: Christmas Hurdle – Apple’s Jade
2017: Christmas Hurdle – Apple’s Jade
2018: Champion Novice Chase – The Storyteller
2018: Champion Novice Chase – The Storyteller
2018: Neville Hotels Novice Chase – Delta Work
2018: Neville Hotels Novice Chase – Delta Work
2018: Drinmore Novice Chase – Delta Work
2018: Drinmore Novice Chase – Delta Work
2019: Neville Hotels Novice Chase – Battleoverdoyen
2019: Neville Hotels Novice Chase – Battleoverdoyen
2019: Punchestown Champion Hurdle – Buveur d’Air
2019: Punchestown Champion Hurdle – Buveur d’Air
2019: Champion Novice Chase – Delta Work
2019: Champion Novice Chase – Delta Work
2020: Slaney Novice Hurdle – Envoi Allen
2020: Slaney Novice Hurdle – Envoi Allen
2021: Savills Chase – Galvin
2021: Savills Chase – Galvin
2022: Irish Champion Chase – Conflated
2022: Irish Champion Chase – Conflated
2023: Galmoy Hurdle – Teahupoo
2023: Galmoy Hurdle – Teahupoo
2023: Ladbrokes Novice Chase – Mighty Potter
2023: Ladbrokes Novice Chase – Mighty Potter
2023: Leopardstown Chase – The Goffer
2023: Leopardstown Chase – The Goffer
2023: Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle – Irish Point
2023: Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle – Irish Point
In France
In France
2019: Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – Carriacou
2019: Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – Carriacou