Barry Geraghty becomes fourth most successful rider after Cheltenham victory

Barry Geraghty has overtaken Richard Dunwoody to become the fourth most successful jump jockey in Britain and Ireland after a 1,875th career win on Birchdale at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Geraghty trails only the retired Sir Anthony McCoy, Richard Johnson and Ruby Walsh in the overall standings – with 635 winners in Britain and 1,240 in Ireland.

Winningmost jump jockeys

4,348 Sir Anthony McCoy (1994-2015)
3,588 Richard Johnson (1994- )
2,737 Ruby Walsh (1995- )
1,875 BARRY GERAGHTY (1997- )
1,874 Richard Dunwoody (1983-99)
1,692 Peter Scudamore (1978-96)
1,589 Paul Carberry (1992-2015)
1,392 Davy Russell (1999- )
1,342 Noel Fehily (1998- )
1,311 Mick Fitzgerald (1988-2008)

It was apt he brought up the milestone for his old boss Nicky Henderson in the famous silks of his retainer and leading owner JP McManus.

He said: "When I was a kid, Richard [Dunwoody] was an idol of mine. Riding around fields on ponies when I was 12 or something I'd try to emulate the winners I'd seen him ride on TV.

"For me, it's a great landmark and we'll keep going."

Asked how long he thought he might have left in the saddle, Geraghty added: "How long is a piece of string?"

Barry Geraghty: enjoyed success with many great horses, including the brilliant Sprinter SacreCredit: Patrick McCann

Since his first winner in 1997 Geraghty has established himself as one of the sport's biggest stars after a productive spell as stable jockey to Henderson before replacing McCoy as McManus's retained rider.

Notable moments in a glorious career have been headed by a Grand National victory on Monty's Pass in 2003.

Geraghty has also won the Gold Cup on Kicking King (2005) and Bobs Worth (2013), as well as landing the Champion Hurdle on Punjabi (2009), Jezki (2014) and Buveur D'Air (2018).

He has also been champion jockey in Ireland twice, in 1999-2000 and 2003-04.

Geraghty enjoyed his highest-profile equine relationship with racing great Sprinter Sacre – the pair combined successfully 13 times – while a long-time association with Jessica Harrington was made memorable by another brilliant two-mile chaser Moscow Flyer.

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