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

Daryl Jacob announced his retirement after winning the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase on Impaire Et Passe at Limerick on Saturday.

The 41-year-old jockey plans to take his final ride on Mr Percy in the Listed Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle (3.05) at Leopardstown on Sunday for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who have retained the Grand National-winning jockey's services for the last 11 years.

Jacob, who partnered his 1,000th winner last month, has endured a challenging final season in the saddle, having spent significant spells on the sidelines due to two collarbone injuries.

"I worked incredibly hard to get my 1,000 winners but then I broke my collarbone and had a complicated operation," said the jockey. "It's thanks to everyone at Oaksey House and my specialist that I was able to get back before Christmas, when I knew I had good rides to look forward to.

"It was a lot of hard work but it was worth it. 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."

Reflecting on his relationship with Jacob, Munir said in a statement on Saturday: "He's been an integral part of our team for the past 11 years for which we are all so grateful, so many highs and, of course, some lows. 

"I'm delighted to announce that he'll continue to work for 'Team Double Green' and continue to be an important part of our team. For Daryl to end his career as a jockey on a high and on his own terms is a true blessing."

Impaire Et Passe (Daryl Jacob) wins at LimerickCredit: Lorraine O'Sullivan

After moving from Ireland to Britain to ride out Flat horses for Richard Hannon, Jacob joined Robert and Sally Alner's Dorset stable and rode his first winner under rules on Orbicularis for Alison Thorpe in an amateur riders' hurdle at Exeter in 2003. 

He landed the first of 31 Grade 1 wins on The Listener in 2006 for the Alners before the pair added victories in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Jacob joined Paul Nicholls, initially as a number two to Ruby Walsh, and the trainer gave him his first Cheltenham Festival winner on Zarkandar in the 2011 Triumph Hurdle and the biggest success of his career when Neptunes Collonges landed the 2012 Grand National by a nose. 

He spent the final years of his career retained by Munir and Souede, for whom he won the Betfair Chase three times on Bristol De Mai. His final Cheltenham Festival winner, Concertista, came for the owners in the 2020 Mares' Novices' Hurdle. 

On some of his career highlights, Jacob added: "Winning the Grand National on Neptunes Collonges was very special, as was Bristol De Mai's second Betfair Chase success and L'Ami Serge's French Champion Hurdle win. 

"I've had a wonderful association with so many brilliant horses, including The Listener, who gave me my first Grade 1 at Leopardstown, which has always been a special place to me."

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