The line-up of the 16 retired jockeys for the final Leger Legends Wednesday Race on Wednesday 7th September has now been confirmed. The former jockeys are returning to the saddle to raise money for the Injured Jockey Fund Jack Berry House and National Horseracing College. Find out more about each jockey below:
Adrian Nicholls won the Ayr Gold Cup twice in 2000 and 2002. He retired from the saddle in 2016 before he became a trainer. Adrian has ridden in this race before in 2017 narrowly finishing second, he’s looking for a win this time around.
Brian Harding has 25 years of experience in the saddle, he’s also ridden over 600 winners. Since retiring he’s become a jockey coach. Brian won this race in 2017 and will be looking to win it again!
Dale Irving hung up his riding boots in 2019 and became assistant trainer to Maurice Barnes. He started his career in the 2011/12 season and rode over 65 winners over the jumps.
Andrew Tinkler is a dual Cheltenham winning jockey, throughout his career he had over 450 winners before he retired in 2019. He also won the Grimthorpe Chase here at Doncaster twice in 2010 and 2013.
Sam Waley-Cohen is this year’s Grand National winner! After this ride, he announced his retirement; Sam has a series of riding accomplishments including winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2011.
Gary Bardwell is well known in this race, being last year's winner- he wants to hold onto the title. During his career, he rode a winner at every racecourse in Britain while being an apprentice. He also won the Ayr Gold Cup and the Chester Cup twice.
David Crosse retired two years ago, in his long career he was Champion Amateur Jockey between 2001 and 2002. Throughout his career, he rode over 200 winners. David is now involved with jockey coaching and racing syndicates.
Amy Ryan was the first outright female Champion Apprentice in 2012 since retiring she has become a racing presenter and can often be seen on Racing TV. She has also set up a yard and pinhooked her first yearling. Amy rode in this race last year.
Kieren Fallon is a notorious figure in racing. The six-time British Champion Flat Jockey also has three derby wins, four 1000 Guineas’ and five 2000 Guineas’ wins under his belt. He rode in this race in 2019.
Jason Edmunds was a flat jockey and he had 89 winners before his career ended due to an injury in 2007. Being a jockey runs in the family as his son Lewis Edmunds is now a successful jockey.
Seb Sanders was British Champion Flat Apprentice in 1995 and in 2007 he shared the British Flat champion jockey title with Jamie Spencer. Seb retired in 2015 and is now often seen presenting on Sky Sports racing.
Alain Cawley was champion Conditional jockey in Ireland, he also won three group 1’s. After a career spanning 18 years, he retired this year to be a jockey agent.
Sammy Jo Bell retired from racing in 2017, one of her biggest racing achievements was riding a double in the 2015 Shergar Cup. Sammy Jo now works for fiancé Philip Makin and won this race in 2019.
Adrian Lane hung up his race riding boots in 2018 and continued the role he did alongside race riding as Donald McCain's assistant trainer, playing a vital role in Donald’s racing team. Adrian played a vital role in getting horses like Peddler's Cross and Cinders And Ashes race ready.
Sam Thomas had over 500 jumps wins in the saddle. Sam frequently rode for Venetia Williams and Paul Nicholls, his wins include A Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. He since has begun training and had some big winners including Iwilldoit in the Coral Welsh Grand National Chase last year.
Meg Nicholls retired this year, daughter of Paul Nicholls she’s grown up around racing legends. Her biggest career win was at the Qatar Goodwood Festival! Megan stopped riding to focus more on media work leaving her 110 wins behind her.
The reserve this year's race is Russ Kennemore retired after 10 years in the saddle and swiftly became a jockey coach for the BHA. Initially, he was an apprentice to Reg Hollingshead which allowed him to travel to Europe and Dubai before giving up his license.
Find out more about the race here
