The final weekend of 2024 marked the end of the riding road for one of the most well-liked jockeys in the weighing room. Following a 20+ year career in the saddle, Daryl Jacob announced that he would retire following his ride aboard Mr Percy at Limerick on Sunday, 29th of December.
That final outing failed to provide a fairytale ending, as Mr Percy managed only 12th in the Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle. However, Jacob’s announcement came following his biggest win of 2024, when partnering the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe to an impressive four-length success in the Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase.
Having become synonymous with Simon Munir & Isaac Souede over the latter half of his career, it is fitting that his final top-level triumph came in the famous double-green silks of the ownership duo. Here, we look back on the career of a 31-time Grade 1 winning jockey, who may have called time on his riding career but looks set to remain in the sport.
From Riding Ponies in Wexford to 1000 Winners
Born in Davidstown, County Wexford, in 1983, Jacob doesn’t hail from a typical racing background. The son of a landscaper, his initial experience on horseback came when riding ponies owned by his neighbours.
Crossing the Irish Sea & Early Successes
Keen to pursue a career in racing, Jacob left school to work at the yard of Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, and Queen Mother Champion Chase-winning trainer Dessie Hughes.
Moving to England in 2003 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional jockey, Jacob initially rode out at the flat yard of Richard Hannon before joining Robert and Sally Alner in Dorset. His first win came aboard the Alison Thorpe-trained Orbicularis in an Amateur Riders event at Exeter in December of that year.
Exeter Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle Result (18/12/2004)
| Pos | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orbicularis (25/1) | Alison Thorpe | Daryl Jacob |
| 2 | Good Thyne Guy (16/1) | Colin Tizzard | Charlotte Tizzard |
| 3 | Happy Hussar (12/1) | Dr P Pritchard | Oliver Dayman |
With his reputation growing, Jacob registered a breakthrough Grade 1 success aboard The Listener in the 2006 edition of the Lexus Chase. That star chaser took Jacob on repeat visits to the Grade 1 winners enclosure when claiming the John Durkan Memorial Chase (2007) and Irish Gold Cup (2008).
Cheltenham Festival Triumphs
Having increasingly caught the eye of the biggest names in the game, Jacob joined multiple Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls in 2011. Initially serving as number two to Ruby Walsh, he enjoyed a brief spell as stable jockey upon the retirement of the Irish legend in 2013.
Jacob enjoyed many of his biggest successes during his stay at Ditcheat. The first came when striking Cheltenham Festival gold aboard Zarkandar in the 2011 Triumph Hurdle. Further Cheltenham victories arrived with Lac Fontana (2014 County Handicap Hurdle) and Concertista (Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle), but, for many, Jacob will be remembered best for his 2012 victory in the biggest event of the racing year.
Neptune Collonges by a Nose
Despite a CV which included Grade 1 wins in the Punchestown Gold Cup (twice) and Irish Gold Cup, in addition to four appearances in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Neptunes Collonges wasn’t particularly fancied ahead of the 2012 Aintree Grand National.
Heading into the final third of the race, it still seemed unlikely that the 33/1 shot would cause an upset. However, Jacob had timed his challenge to perfection. Beginning to pick rivals off deep into the second circuit, he moved into third over the last, sat second with 100 yards to go, and got up on the line to collar Sunnyhillboy by a nose.
A Decade of Success in the Double-Green
Following his departure from Ditcheat in 2014, Jacob earned the coveted role as retained rider to powerful owners Simon Munir & Isaac Souede. It proved to be a fruitful partnership and with the exception of 2021, Daryl rode at least one Grade 1 winner per year for his main employer.
Forming a winning team with stars such as Top Notch, L’Ami Serge, and Sceau Royal, his most productive partner was the admirable Nigel Twiston-Davies star Bristol De Mai. First successful at the top level in the 2014 Finale Juvenile Hurdle, the duo combined to claim five Grade 1 contests, including three editions of the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
A New Chapter Begins
Daryl Jacob hangs up his silks with an impressive tally of 1002 career wins, including top-level events in Britain, Ireland and France. In summing up his decision, the 41-year-old stated:
“I wanted to go out at the top, to finish my career on a high note, and what better way to do it than to ride a Grade 1 winner for the most incredible people in Simon, Isaac and Anthony [Bromley]. I felt today was the right time to do it.”
As to what lies next for the likeable Irishman, don’t be surprised to see his face return to a screen near you. When asked what the future may hold, Jacob hinted a second career as a pundit might be around the corner.
“I’d love to do a bit of TV work as I really enjoy it. I love working with Simon and Isaac and all the wonderful horses they have, as well, so hopefully there’ll be plenty of stuff to get stuck into.”
