IT was the almost perfect Punchestown Festival farewell for multiple Grade 1-winning jockey Jody McGarvey when announcing that he has called time on his 16-year career in the saddle this afternoon.

For much of the journey, it looked as though he was set to depart the weighing room on a winning note aboard Mirazur West, but the Willie Mullins-trained favourite gave way in the closing stages to finish third in the €50,000 Frontline Security Handicap Chase. Nevertheless, McGarvey bows out in one piece, and he did so in the colours of his biggest supporter, J.P. McManus.

Originally from Coleraine, Co Derry, the 34-year-old partnered four Grade 1 winners during his time in the saddle, the first coming at this very meeting when the free-going Great Field landed the 2017 Ryanair Novice Chase in spite of a slipped saddle.

On a dream Easter Sunday at Fairyhouse in 2021, McGarvey memorably pulled off a Grade 1 double when partnering Skyace to success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final for Shark Hanlon, followed by a win on Janidil in the Underwriting Exchange Gold Cup Novice Chase.

His most recent top-flight success also came at Fairyhouse, as he rode subsequent Grand National winner I Am Maximus to win the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase. The pair also teamed up to win last year’s Bobbyjo Chase, the final prep before the top performer's Aintree triumph.

Having partnered his first winner in 2012 while wearing the McManus silks aboard the Christy Roche-trained Code To The West (in a Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase), it was certainly fitting for McGarvey to bow out with his final ride coming in the green and gold.

Speaking just before getting drenched by a bucket of water thrown by Davy Russell in the winner’s enclosure, McGarvey said: “I thought I was going to have the fairytale ending but those two feckers in front of me [Richie McLernon and Philip Donovan] spoiled the party! Look, I still led them all down over the final fence at the Punchestown Festival on my final ride, riding for J.P. McManus. It was great to do that after riding my first winner for J.P. too.

Grateful approach

“I have a lot to be thankful for. We obviously lost Mikey [O’Sullivan] earlier this year. I had my share of injuries but I got through it and I’m able to retire on my own terms. I’ve enjoyed it. I had another ride tomorrow but he’s by no means a favourite and I got a great thrill going flat out in front over two miles over fences there.

“I could have kept going for another couple of years - I didn’t want to stop riding - but the opportunities are just getting thin on the ground and I want to go out while I’m still feeling like I’m riding well. I’ve ridden a few winners in the last few weeks and enjoyed it. I’m glad that I’m leaving the game without a chip on my shoulder.”

McGarvey rode 20 or more winners domestically in three separate seasons, his best return coming with 21 in the 2020/’21 campaign.

His catalogue of big-race winners include a Grade 2 Webster Cup on Great Field (2018), a Midlands National win on The Big Lense (2021), graded victories at Limerick on Espoir D’Allen (2018) and Farouk d'Alene (2020), a Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle on Plinth (2017), and further major handicap winners on Western Boy, Ballyoisin, Scoir Mear, Hearts Are Trumps, Capodanno and Golden Kite.

Asked to nominate the horse that stands out from his career, McGarvey said: “I’d have to say Great Field, because he’d frighten the bejesus out of anyone but I got to go around here and win my first Grade 1 on him. It was great to do that at my favourite track. I went flat to the boards, attacked the fences and won - it was a standout day for me.”

McManus team

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, paid tribute to McGarvey’s efforts on and off the track during his career.

“Jody has been a great fella and I was hoping he’d go close today on his last ride,” said Berry.

“He gave the horse a great ride and had him jumping like a buck. It’s a lovely way for him to go out in one piece. He’s been great over the years, from the mornings to the afternoons. He rode some tricky ones for us down the years as well and did well on them!

“He obviously won a Drinmore and a Bobbyjo on I Am Maximus and set him up nicely for the Grand National. He’s a great fella and I wish him all the best.”

On what lies ahead, McGarvey added: “We’re very busy at home and I’m going to be a poor farmer now! I’m going to work for Gordon Elliott so I’ll keep my eye in the game and will still have the chance to go racing, still getting to ride out most days.

"I’m looking forward to the next chapter. I’ll be very sad to be finishing riding because I really, really love it but I leave on my own terms and was never going to be a jockey forever. I’m grateful that I’m a lot more lucky than some people who have come before me have been.”