'He's a fantastic rider who deserves all the plaudits he's getting' - Paul Nicholls leads tributes to Daryl Jacob

Trainers and owners closely associated with Daryl Jacob's 20-year career have paid tribute to a "fantastic rider" following the jockey's retirement on Sunday.

Jacob bowed out at Leopardstown after a career that included wins in the Betfair Chase, Triumph Hurdle and Irish Gold Cup, although his greatest day came when he partnered Neptune Collonges to a narrow Grand National success in 2012.

The horse's owner John Hales and trainer Paul Nicholls were among those to recognise his achievements. He partnered 180 winners for Nicholls in Britain and two in Ireland, and was number one for a spell at Ditcheat.

"I can't thank Daryl enough and he should be proud of himself for what he achieved, how he rode and how he conducted himself," said Nicholls. "He rode an awful lot of winners for us, culminating in the Grand National. He was a credit to himself and the sport, and it's good to see him go out at the top.

Neptune Collonges (near side) beats Sunnyhillboy by a nose in the 2012 Grand NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"We had a lot of great days, but the summit is the National and he gave Neptune Collonges a great ride that day. I remember saying if you're in the first ten with a circuit to go then you'll have a chance as he'll keep passing horses; he couldn't have executed it any better. He's a fantastic rider who deserves all the plaudits he's getting."

Hales echoed Nicholls' comments when recalling Jacob's win by a nose on his 33-1 chance at Aintree.

He said: "Daryl was fabulous that day. I remember when they came to the last and four were together, he jumped the last into third, he was second at the Elbow and the rest was a battle. He's a nice lad, conscientious and a very good jockey."

After leaving Nicholls, Jacob became retained rider for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, for whom he built fruitful associations with, among others, Bristol De Mai, Sceau Royal and L'Ami Serge. 

All smiles: Daryl Jacob and Nicky Henderson in great spiritsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicky Henderson, who trained L'Ami Serge, said: "He's been part of the family for years and we're all very fond of him. We have some great memories of those golden days. When Daryl was riding out you'd always know where he was, even in the fog, because he'd be loud or squealing. I don't know what he was like in a race, but I've never seen anyone as loud as him on a horse. He's a great friend, rider and team player."

Henry Brooke was among Jacob's weighing room colleagues to pay tribute. 

Speaking at Doncaster on Sunday, he said: "He's a great lad, a realist in the weighing room – he knows when he's going well and when he's not going well. It's nice that he's ending on his terms, and he'll be missed by us all."

Read more:

'I wanted to go out at the top' - Daryl Jacob to retire after final ride at Leopardstown on Sunday 

Six of the best: looking back at the horses who have been synonymous with retiring rider Daryl Jacob 

'This was the big one' - Impaire Et Passe gives Daryl Jacob a perfect Christmas send-off

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