Retiring Jody McGarvey on "horrific" injuries and riding 'frightening' horse
Jody McGarvey chats to trainer Willie Mullins after riding I Am Maximus to victory in the 2023 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse (Image: PA)
Jody McGarvey opened up on the injury battles he has faced and recapped his favourite career moment as he signed off from the saddle. The Irishman retired after riding 3-1 favourite Mirazur West into third place in a Listed handicap chase at Punchestown's five-day festival.
It brought to an end 16 years of competitive action for McGarvey, whose biggest wins came in the colours he bowed out in, those of leading owner JP McManus.
Although it was not a fairytale result for the rider, he said he had McManus to thank for giving him some of his best days in the sport, including on the enigmatic Great Field.
It was at Punchestown's big meeting eight years ago where McGarvey made a Grade One breakthrough aboard the Willie Mullins-saddled operator, keeping calm as his saddle slipped.
In the same season there was further drama when Great Field tripped and nearly unshipped him at Leopardstown's final fence. READ MORE: Brutal fight with WHIPS leads to 60-day ban as tempers boil over after race
"He was thrill a minute," McGarvey told the Racing Post. "He'd frighten the life out of anyone but I got to go round here and win my first Grade 1 here. That was a standout day."
Dad-to-be McGarvey, who hails from Derry, told Racing TV how he faced a constant battle to stay fit. "You could say I have been a bit unlucky my whole career," he said.
"Every time I was getting a run at it I had some horrific injuries. I broke my neck, my back on a separate occasion and had shoulder injuries - I think I have had six surgeries or something like that.
"Every time I'm coming back I'm getting older and it's harder.
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"I have enjoyed most of it. The game at the top is getting much tighter and there are so many good lads out there, it is hard to find your place. "
McGarvey, who rode his first winner for McManus on Code Of The West at Down Royal in 2012, also helped guide the career of 2024 Grand National hero I Am Maximus.
Before the star's Aintree display, horse and jockey teamed up successfully in the Drinmore and Bobbyjo chases around Fairyhouse. Like his final mount, I Am Maximus was trained by Willie Mullins, National Hunt racing's leading handler on both sides of the Irish Sea.
"It's a pity I didn't get the fairytale end I hoped for, but look I rode a favourite at the Punchestown Festival for Willie Mullins and JP. It doesn't really get much bigger than that," McGarvey said. "I led them down to the last and it just didn't work out.
He added: "I'm going out with my head held high. I'm incredibly thankful that after all the injuries I have come out the other side. I haven't loved every minute of it but I had great craic along the way!"
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