Noel Meade: Barry Geraghty was the strongest I have ever seen in a finish

The weighing room in Ireland is full of horsemen capable of making a mark on the biggest of days but few have been better equipped in a driving finish than Barry Geraghty, according to the man who gave him his start in racing, Noel Meade.

His praise does not end there. Meade, who played an integral part in Geraghty being crowned champion jockey in Ireland on two occasions, hailed the rider as "a colossus of the sport".

Meade said: "I have known Barry since he was in nappies. I'm very friendly with his family, his father Tucker and his mother Bea, and we got to see Barry flourish into one of the greatest jockeys of the modern era first hand as he came to us as a raw 16-year-old."

He added: "Even back then we knew there was something special about Barry. He was with us both times he was crowned champion jockey in Ireland and what set him apart was that he was very strong in the saddle and of course he had a phenomenal record in the big races. He was very dedicated to the job and he's going out on the top after what was a wonderful Cheltenham Festival."

'Not Ruby, McCoy, nobody'

Meade puts Geraghty up there with Ruby Walsh, Paul Carberry and Tony McCoy but is firm in his belief that none of those riders would match Geraghty for strength in a finish.

Meade said: "Barry has been a colossus of the sport. Ruby Walsh, Tony McCoy, Paul Carberry and Barry Geraghty, they are phenomenal jockeys, and they have all retired within a few years of each other. In the last number of years, they have been the dominating forces in the weigh room.

"Some people may not agree with me but I think, in a finish, there was nobody stronger than Barry. Not Ruby, McCoy, nobody. When Barry got behind one I think he was stronger than AP and Ruby. To me anyway, I've always viewed him as the strongest."

Recalling their early years together, Meade added: "I remember when Barry was claiming, he rode Cockney Lad to win for me down in Cork, and even then you could tell he was a bit special. He was always very dedicated and did his homework.

"What you need to remember as well was Barry had a world of talent, but he was also very lucky to get on those good horses, the likes of Kicking King, Moscow Flyer and Monty's Pass. They were huge horses to get on and he just happened to be there at the right time to get on those horses.

"Another thing about Barry is he was extremely confident and was brilliant with owners."

Kicking King and Barry Geraghty win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005Credit: Edward Whitaker

Geraghty's link-up with JP McManus was important in the later years, Meade added.

"Jump racing has changed a lot in the last decade or so and the best horses have been concentrated into fewer yards in recent times. Riding for JP McManus was a huge appointment for Barry because of the brilliant horses he had to go to war with. Getting one of the big jobs is a huge advantage for a rider and Barry took every opportunity that was presented to him."

What others are saying about Barry Geraghty

Frank Berry
JP McManus's racing manager

Barry was a top man and we had a great five years together. It's good to see him get out on his own terms and after a great season and Cheltenham. Most lads in this game are not as lucky. Barry did tremendous work to get back after he did his leg at Aintree last year and to come back and have a season like he did, with five winners at Cheltenham, was unbelievable. He was always brilliant around Cheltenham and I suppose his Champion Hurdle win aboard Jezki was a standout. He was a good man to work with and we wish him well for the future.

Robbie Power
Fellow jockey

Barry was stable jockey when I started in Jessie's and he's been a great help to me throughout my career. I've been lucky enough to ride against some of the greatest jockeys of all time and there was none better than Barry. On the big day and at Cheltenham, Barry was second to none, and as he said in the media recently, Cheltenham was his playground and he loved it. He knew how to ride Cheltenham better than anyone and always rose to the occasion.

Classic contest: Barry Geraghty celebrates Moscow Flyer's victory over Azertyuiop (right) and Well Chief (left) in the 2004 Tingle Creek ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Pressure never got to Barry and he always took things in his stride. That's probably why he thrived on the big occasion. Barry always said the greatest race he ever rode in was the Tingle Creek at Sandown where he beat Azertyuiop and Well Chief on Moscow Flyer and few would disagree. He went out at the top. You only need to look at his ride on Champ in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham this year to realise that. Few other riders would have won on Champ that day and that proved he was riding at the top of his game to the very end. That was as good a ride as you'll ever see at Cheltenham.

Jimmy Mangan
Trainer of Monty's Pass

Barry is a gentleman as well as a super jockey. He had terrific judgement and he was a terrific man to mind a horse. You always had your horse the next day. He was a talented horseman. If there was ever a horse made for a jockey or a jockey made for a horse, Barry and Monty's Pass was it. They were a match made in heaven and it was poetry in motion watching them at Aintree.

Read more:

Barry Geraghty announces his retirement at the age of 40

Five of the best: Geraghty's greatest rides

How Geraghty made himself king of the Champion Chase

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