LEADING jockey Daryl Jacob has retired – 24 hours after romping to victory.
The 2012 Grand National winner on Neptune Collonges made his shock announcement after steering Impaire Et Passe to an impressive win in the Grade 1 Faugheen Novices Chase at Limerick.
Irishman Jacob, 41, racked up more than 1,000 career three triumphs, including three successes at the Cheltenham Festival.
Just two months ago the National Hunt rider had revealed it would “definitely” be his final season.
But rather than wait until next May, Jacob has chosen to hang up his saddle on a high.
He guided top prospect Impaire Et Passe, the 8-13 favourite, to a highly-professional victory by four lengths.
Jockey and horse always looked comfortable.
And after working his way through the seven-horse field, Jacob jumped the last fence supremely to clinch a swansong triumph.
Jacob said of his mount: “He was very good, he really picked up from the back of the second-last and was good, brave and long at the last.
“Please God he comes out of this well and is an exciting horse for the ‘double green’ for the rest of the season.”
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Having bowed out at Leopardstown on Saturday, Jacob wrote in his Sporting Life blog: “It’s the right decision at the right time.
“I’ve worked very hard to get back from injury this season and I knew I had some good opportunities this Christmas including in the Grade 1.
“To ride Impaire Et Passe there to win the Grade 1, it will be very difficult to beat that now and finishing at Leopardstown, where I won my first Grade 1, feels right.
“I’ve always wanted to retire on my terms, riding good horses, and Impaire Et Passe has been one of our best horses. He’s very special to me.
Impaire is blossoming well under trainer Willie Mullins, with Simon Munir and Isaac Souede the owners.
However, Jacob’s peak moment came 12 years ago on Paul Nicholls-trained Neptune Collonges at Aintree.
The grey gelding was owned by John Hales and usually ridden by legend Ruby Walsh.
But Jacob stepped in for an historic feat.
Neptune Collonges beat second-place Sunnyhillboy in a photo finish that remains the closest-ever climax to a Grand National.
Jacob also notched up a fine treble at Cheltenham.
His three wins at the Festival came in the Triumph Hurdle on Zarkandar in 2011, the County Handicap Hurdle paired with Lac Fontana three years late, and in the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on Concertista in 2020.
Jacob added in his blog: “It has been wonderful. I’ve ridden a Grand National winner, now 31 Grade 1 winners, I’ve ridden over 1000 winners.
“I’ve been very lucky. I’ve battled with my weight over the years, I’m not getting any younger, I’ve had to work hard with my weight and it doesn’t get any easier.
“I’m looking forward to new opportunities, being part of the Double Green [racing] team going forward – I’ll still be an integral part.”
