DAVY Russell announced his immediate retirement from the saddle at Thurles on Sunday.

Rumours had been circulating in recent days that the 43-year-old would make the announcement if he rode a winner at Navan on Sunday.

That meeting was cancelled, prompting Russell to switch to Thurles where he rode the Gordon Elliott-trained Liberty Dance to win the featured listed mares’ hurdle.

Russell’s plan became apparent to racegoers and television viewers when his wife Edelle stepped forward to lead the horse into the winner’s enclosure where their children were waiting.

Other jockeys and trainers soon swarmed the winner’s enclosure to offer their congratulations as the announcement was made public.

Moments later, Russell’s friend Bill Esdaile released the following statement on behalf of the jockey: “After over 20 years riding as a professional jockey, I’ve decided to call it a day.

“My journey began 43 years ago with the support of my parents who gave me the most outstanding of childhoods – never restricting me and giving me the freedom to begin a journey.

“My mother is no longer here but she has always had my back - I still feel her watching over me today. As for my dad, I’m lucky to still have him in my life and he’s always been there for me too along with my brothers and sisters.

“I started in point-to-points where I rode for four years managing to become champion novice rider back in 1999. The last two decades have flown by and I’ve just so many to thank.

“If it wasn’t for Tom O’Mahony, I’d have never made the jump to become a professional. Then there’s the likes of Pat O’Connor, Arthur Moore, Pat and Mary Doyle, John Kiely, Mick O’Brien and Charles Byrnes to name just a few.

“Plenty have had my back during the tougher times. Robert Tyner and Philip Reynolds thank you for being there when I needed it the most. Colman Walsh, my brother-in-law, has been a huge part of my life while I must also mention Peter Vaughan and Philip Fenton.

“Dr Lambe for some special festival days and ‘Frosty’ Kelly and Kevin O’Ryan for booking all those winners. In more recent years, Kenny Haughey has been a huge supporter of mine too.

“There must also be a special mention for Gigginstown – Michael, Anita, Eddie and Wendy. You gave me the opportunity and trusted in me, taking me to places and to days I could only ever have dreamed about. You took me to the next level. You let me ride a remarkable little warrior called Tiger Roll. The horse of my lifetime.

“As for Gordon Elliott, well, what can I say. We rode together as amateurs, and I’ve been lucky enough to watch you become the trainer you are today. For the last few years, you have made me part of your team and have always done everything to help me asking for nothing in return.

Salute

“The truth is there are just so many people to thank and you know who you are. To all the stable staff around the land that do all the hard work, to my weighing room colleagues, both professional and amateur, past and present… I salute you all.

“To the physios, doctors and surgeons, thank you for patching me up. To my sponsors Citipost, Star Sports and the Irish Daily Star, thank you for believing in me.

“Finally, to my wife Edelle and my kids Jaimee, Lily, Finn, Liam and Tess. You are the reason I can hang up my riding boots today. You have taught me what it is to live, and I cannot wait to spend more time with you all at home in Youghal.

“Of course, I’m sad to be giving up something I’ve been lucky enough to have called a job for so long, but the truth is I’ve never actually worked a day in my life.”

Background

From Youghal in Co Cork, Russell rode for four years as an amateur in point-to-points, winning his first race in February 1999 and being champion rider in 2001.

In 2002 he moved to Yorkshire to ride for trainer Ferdy Murphy. His first win as a professional jockey was on Inn Antique in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield in November 2002.

He finished second in the 2003 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Murphy-trained Truckers Tavern.

After 14 months with Murphy he returned to Ireland and spent a season with Edward O’Grady and then two years as a freelance jockey.

He had his first Cheltenham Festival win in March 2006 on the Philip Rothwell-trained Native Jack in the Cross Country Chase. Except for 2019, he then had at least one winner at the Festival every year up to 2020, with his victories including the Gold Cup in 2014 on Lord Windermere, and a record three wins in the Coral Cup. In 2018 he won the leading jockey award at Cheltenham. Injury kept him sidelined for 2021.

In September 2007 he was invited to become Michael O’Leary’s stable jockey for Gigginstown House Stud, a position he held until he was sacked after a win and over a cup of tea at Punchestown Racecourse on New Year’s Eve 2013. He continued, however, to ride for Michael O’Leary on occasion and was called upon when Bryan Cooper was injured on the first day of the 2014 Festival. On the Friday he won the Triumph Hurdle for the owner, creating a partnership with Tiger Roll that would go on to give him the race he really wanted on his CV, the Grand National, in 2018 and 2019.

That afternoon was a day never to forget as he also won the Grand Annual Chase for Gigginstown on Savello - a few hours after he had won the Gold Cup on Lord Windermere for Jim Culloty and Dr Ronan Lambe.

Russell was champion Irish National Hunt jockey in 2011/12 and 2012/13, having been runner-up the five previous seasons.

In May 2019 Russell had his first ride in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, sometimes known as the French Gold Cup, and won on Carriacou, trained by Isabelle Pacault.

A fall in the Munster National at Limerick in October 2020 left Russell with a serious vertebrae injury. He underwent surgery and needed to recuperate for months, announcing in February 2021 that he would not be fit to ride at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

In the past two seasons he has ridden sparingly, fuelling speculation that retirement was not far away. Last weekend, he walked away on his own terms.

2 Aintree Grand Nationals

3 Champion jockey titles

23 Years as a jockey

25 Cheltenham winners

43 Years of age

58 Grade 1 winners:

1,579 Career winners

On Twitter - Tributes

Dan Heap@Ohdannyboy77

A true genius, a pleasure to watch. Enjoy the retirement Davy Russell, the racecourse will be a far less exciting place with your absence.

Tim O Driscoll@timodriscoll2

Don’t really know what to say about today except Ger and myself we’re honoured to part of Davy’s last day in the saddle. An absolute class act. He can now eat as much turkey & ham as he wants. Thanks Davy for all the great days.

Diarmuid Nolan@dermonolan91

Davy Russell retirement is really sad for some reason. The end of that golden generation of jockeys.

He truly was a magnificent horseman - a poet of a jockey in full flow.

Michael Fletcher@thebullett59

Davy Russell was incomparable at Cheltenham- always in the right place. Good luck to the bloke in retirement.

James Bowen@james_bowen_

No doubt Davy Russell is the best jockey I’ve ever ridden against. Happy retirement.,

Niall Hannity@Niallhannity

Feel sorry for Messi, thinks he’s stolen the headlines until he hears Davy Russell has retired.

Wayne Brogan@KinderWayno

That’s how to retire from the saddle. With humility, surrounded by your family, after riding a winner. No fuss. Davy Russell, a class act!

Presenting Percy and Davy Russell jump the last to win the RSA Insurance Novice Chase in 2018 \ Healy Racing