Following the recent retirement of Dary Jacob, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have wasted little time in recruiting his replacement. Last Thursday brought the announcement that the new man to carry the famous double green silks will be leading Irish rider James Joseph Slevin, known simply as JJ to all in the racing world.
Simon Munir broke the news on X, stating:
“We are delighted to announce that JJ Slevin will be joining Team Double Green with immediate effect. JJ’s prime responsibility will be to be our retained jockey in Ireland and England.”
Slevin began his new role at Ayr on the day of the announcement. Bryony Frost will continue in her position as Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s retained rider in France.
Following in the footsteps of Daryl Jacob is no easy task, with the recently retired rider successfully teaming up with the likes of Bristol De Mai, Impaire Et Passe, Top Notch and many more over the years. However, Munir and Soude are unlikely to have many concerns with Slevin, who is widely respected as one of the most talented riders in his homeland.
Who Is JJ Slevin?
A native of Kiltrea in County Wexford, Slevin has followed a career path similar to that of many leading National Hunt riders. Gaining success on the Point-to-Point scene, Slevin rode 34 winners between the flags, the first of which was trained by his father, Shay.
Following his debut ride under rules in 2008/09, Slevin’s first five seasons yielded a grand total of zero wins from 87 rides. Much better would follow. A win aboard Chapel Garden at Thurles in December 2013 was the first of 11 as an amateur.
Slevin continued to catch the eye with his natural horsemanship and grabbed a breakout Graded success when steering Moylisha Tim to victory in a Grade 3 Novice Hurdle at Cork in 2015.
Into the Professional Ranks
With his stock on the rise, Slevin shed his amateur status in 2016. Since that date, the talented rider has amassed an impressive collection of victories, including:
- 2017 – First Cheltenham Festival success aboard Champagne Classic in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
- 2018 – Makes his first ever ride in a Grade 1 a winning one, when partnering the Joseph O’Brien trained Tower Bridge to victory in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle
- 2018 – Hits the headlines when getting up in the dying strides to claim the Irish Grand National aboard General Principle
- 2019 – A second Cheltenham Festival win arrives courtesy of Band Of Outlaws in the Fred Winter
- 2024 – The Fred Winter again proves to be a happy hunting ground as Slevin wins the race for a second time aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Lark In The Mornin
- 2024 – Not content with one Irish Grand National, Slevin adds another – this time aboard the Simon Munir & Isaac Souede-owned Intense Raffles
- 2024 – Partners the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow to Punchestown Gold Cup glory for a second time
The Future Looks Bright
Slevin begins his new venture with 298 career wins (297 over jumps and one on the level), including nine Grade 1s, and having amassed over £5 million in total prize money for connections. He also kicks off this new venture on a high, following a Grade 1 double in at the Leopardstown Christmas Meeting, with his ride aboard shock Paddy Rewards’ Club Chase winner, Solness, earning widespread praise.
As suggested by his winning ride aboard Intense Raffles in the Irish Grand National, JJ is no stranger to his new owners. Regularly deputising for Daryl Jacob in the past, he has already carried the double green into the Winner’s Enclosure on thirteen occasions. Expect to see that figure rise significantly in the coming years as Slevin displays his undoubted talent aboard stars such as Impaire Et Passe, El Fabiolo, Jasmin De Vaux and more.
