Legendary jumps jockey to come out of retirement for one of a kind race
LEGENDARY jumps jockey Davy Russell will come out of retirement again to ride in the Leger Legends at Doncaster.
Russell, who retired for the second and final time from day-to-day riding in April, has been lured out one last time for a good cause.
The Leger Legends is the only British charity race for former professional jockeys and raises money for National Horseracing College and the Injured Jockeys Fund Jack Berry House.
Russell, a dual Grand National-winning rider, hung up his saddle in December 2022 but that would be short lived.
Russell was persuaded to come back just a few weeks later when Gordon Elliott’s stable jockey Jack Kennedy broke his leg.
Davy was a key part of Elliott’s operation before his retirement and though drawing a blank at the Cheltenham Festival, he rode three Grade 1 winners in his short comeback.
Two of those came at the Grand National meeting, riding Gerri Colombe and Irish Point to success.
He retired for good after riding in the Grand National and the concluding bumper, but will have one last hurrah at Doncaster.
He told Racing Post: “I’m looking forward to it; it should be a bit of craic.
“I’ve been keeping busy. I have a few horses here at home, ponies. I’ve put on a few pounds but I’ve not got fat!”
He will join a star-studded list that includes Tom Scudamore, Kieran Fallon, Richard Johnson, Jamie Osborne and Gary Bardwell.
The latter won the race in 2021 on his tenth attempt, while last year’s race was won by Sammy-Jo Bell.
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