Ask any UK racing fan to name the nation they most associate with horse racing success, and there’s a strong chance that their answer will be Ireland. Thanks to the exploits of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and co., the Irish have become the dominant force at the Cheltenham Festival, while Aidan O’Brien and Ballydoyle mop up the flat’s biggest prize. The most successful owner in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, J.P. McManus, is Irish, as are many of the biggest names in the Coolmore partnership. The greatest flat stallion of all time, Galileo, was also bred and trained in Ireland, and produced swathes of winners at Coolmore Stud in Fethard, County Tipperary.
The strong Irish flavour to the racing scene extends to the jockeys, with many of the most talented riders of all time hailing from the Emerald Isle. So, what makes Irish jockeys so good? And who are the most successful Irish jockeys of the past and present?
Why Are Irish Jockeys So Good?
When looking at the UK jockey tables on the Flat and in the National Hunt sphere, Irish riders invariably pepper the leading positions. However, the same isn’t true in reverse, i.e. British riders generally make zero impact on the leading jockey tables in Ireland.
Despite being a significantly smaller nation than the UK, year after year, Ireland produces enough riding talent to satisfy domestic demands and spill over into (and often dominate) the British scene. Much like with Irish trainers, there is no single reason why this is the case; several factors come together to propel Irish jockeys to the pinnacle of the sport. These include:
- Culture – Racing holds a place in Irish culture which is unmatched anywhere else in the world. The country boasts more thoroughbred racehorses per capita than any other racing nation and has 26 racecourses to cater to a population of roughly five million. In comparison, Britain has 59 racecourses and a population of around 67 million. In addition, around 35% of Ireland’s population lives in rural areas, compared to just 12% in Britain. When taken together, these factors create a situation where the average Irish youngster is likely to be more interested in – and have access to – horse racing opportunities than their British counterparts
- Strong Grassroots Programmes – A strong pony racing scene allows aspiring Irish jockeys to gain experience from a very young age. Michael Kinane, Charlie Swan, and Norman Williamson all cut their teeth on the pony racing scene. Having outgrown ponies, young riders often gain further experience on the robust Point-to-Pointing circuit
- Close Links to British Racing – One obvious reason why so many Irish jockeys show up in British racing is the close proximity of the nations. Irish trainers target the leading British events and most often bring their own riders with them. For Irish jockeys seeking to make a more permanent switch, the absence of a language barrier and similar cultural norms provide a smooth transition
- High Quality Trainers and Horses – Young riders at Irish yards often gain experience working under the guidance of the most talented trainers in the sport, receive mentorship from successful Irish jockeys, and partner high-class runners on the gallops. All of these factors help budding Irish riders to hone their craft
- Supply Outstrips Demand – In absolute terms Ireland has fewer racecourses, fewer fixtures, and a smaller overall horse population than Britain. While the quality of racing is extremely high, the quantity of rides available is lower. Aspiring Irish jockeys seeking opportunities may travel to Britain in search of greater opportunities
All Time Irish Greats
The annals of racing history are littered with the exploits of legendary Irish riders, both on the Flat and over the jumps. Among this pantheon of stars, the following shone so brightly that their names will be remembered long after they have headed into retirement.
AP McCoy
A man who needs little introduction. Sir AP McCoy is quite simply the greatest of all time. The rider of a record 4,358 winners, McCoy was crowned Champion Jockey in each of his 20 years as a professional. Possessing an insatiable will to win and an iron constitution, McCoy won the English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh Grand Nationals and rode 31 winners at the Cheltenham Festival.
Ruby Walsh
If McCoy was known for his steely determination, compatriot Ruby Walsh was renowned for his elegance and class in the saddle. The smoothest rider of his generation, Walsh was crowned Irish Champion Jockey 12 times and was the leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival on a record 11 occasions. Runners with whom Walsh formed a famous partnership included all-time greats Kauto Star, Denman, Hurricane Fly, Douvan, and Faugheen.
Richard Dunwoody
In the eyes of many, Belfast-born Richard Dunwoody was the greatest National Hunt jockey of the pre-McCoy era. A dual winner of the Aintree Grand National, he struck four times in the Boxing Day highlight of the King George VI Chase, and rode 18 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle.
Mick Kinane
Former number one at the Ballydoyle yard of Aidan O’Brien, Mick Kinane was one of the biggest names in the game in the late 1990s and early 2000s. A winner of 10 Classics in Britain and 14 in his homeland, the County Tipperary native tasted international success in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup and at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in the USA. Among the horses to benefit from Kinane’s ice-cool demeanour in the saddle were Sea the Stars, Yeats, Giant’s Causeway, and Galileo.
Pat Eddery
Born in County Kildare in 1952, Pat Eddery went on to forge an incredible career in the saddle. Crowned British Champion Jockey four times in the 1970s, three times in the 1980s, and four times in the 1990s, few riders can match Eddery’s sustained excellence over such a period of time. Upon hanging up his saddle in 2003, Eddery had ridden 4,632 British Flat winners, placing him second behind Sir Gordon Richards on the all-time list. Highlight of a stellar career included 14 British Classics and four wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Barry Geraghty
County Meath native Geraghty achieved huge success in Britain and his homeland. Twice Irish Champion Jumps Jockey, he shone brightest of all at the Cheltenham Festival. An expert at navigating the demands of Prestbury Park, his tally of 43 Cheltenham Festival wins places him behind only Ruby Walsh on the all-time jockey’s table. In 2009, Geraghty’s victory in the Champion Hurdle made him the first jockey to win the big four of the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup, plus the Aintree Grand National. When AP McCoy retired in 2015, Geraghty was the man selected to don the green and gold of JP McManus.
Rachael Blackmore
Last, but by no means least, the rider widely recognised as the greatest female jumps jockey of all time. Enjoying a strong relationship with the yard of Henry De Bromhead, Rachael raised the bar for female riders to unprecedented heights. The most successful female rider at the Cheltenham Festival, she is the first female rider to win the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Her six-win haul in 2021 made her the first female to be crowned the leading rider at the meeting. Rachael’s exploits weren’t restricted to Cheltenham. Also in 2021, she became the first female jockey to win the most famous race of them all, when partnering Minella Times to victory in the Aintree Grand National.
Modern Stars
With icons such as the names discussed above, budding Irish jockeys don’t have to look far for a role model. McCoy, Walsh, Blackmore and co. won’t be forgotten any time soon, and have served to inspire the next wave of talent, including:
- Paul Townend – It takes a special talent to follow in the footsteps of Ruby Walsh as the number one rider at the Willie Mullins operation. Townend is just that. Unflappable under pressure and an expert tactician, Townend won his 38th Cheltenham Festival contest in 2025. He has already completed the set of the big four events at the March event and added the Aintree Grand National to his haul when partnering I Am Maximus to victory in 2024
- Jack Kennedy – Born in County Kerry in 1999, Jack Kennedy is another talent to emerge from the Irish pony racing scene. Turning professional as a 16-year-old in 2015, he has endured more than his fair share of bad luck with injuries, including six separate leg breaks. Despite those interruptions, Kennedy mastered Paul Townend to claim the Irish Jockeys Championship in 2023/24 and picked up his 12th Cheltenham Festival win in 2024. As the number one rider for Gigginstown House Stud, Kennedy is a man to look out for in all of the biggest races
- Oisin Murphy – Like Kennedy, Oisin Murphy hails from County Kerry. Despite boasting a three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Jim Culloty, as an uncle, Murphy plies his trade on the flat. And he does so to some effect. A winner of over 30 Group 1 events, including the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, Murphy has emerged as one of the most naturally gifted riders of his generation. Despite courting controversy away from the track, Murphy picked up five British Champion Jockey titles between 2019 and 2025
- Colin Keane – A former Champion Apprentice in his homeland, Colin Keane won the Irish Champion Jockey title for a sixth time in 2025. Keane’s unassuming nature belies a fierce will to win and incredible talent. Those talents were recognised in late 2025, when Keane landed the prestigious role as the number one rider in Europe for Juddmonte Farms
- Rossa Ryan – Brought up in a National Hunt yard and a former pony racing champion, Rossa Ryan has developed into a supremely talented flat jockey. Picking up the All-Weather Champion Jockey title in 2023/24, he rode over 200 winners in both 2023 and 2024. Successful at Royal Ascot and in the July Cup, he will forever be remembered as the man on board when Bluestocking claimed the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2024
The Irish racing conveyor belt churns out outstanding riders at a similar rate to superstar horses, with new names emerging year after year. With the likes of Dylan Browne McMonagle and Billy Loughnane exploding into the scene in the 2020s, it seems likely that Irish jockeys will continue hitting the headlines for years to come.