Jockey turned politician Nina Carberry is being tipped to deliver the ultimate Grand National fairytale by making one of racing's most astonishing comebacks. The 42-year-old multiple Cheltenham winner will swap a Parliamentary three-line whip for a riding crop as she gets back in the saddle for a charity race later this month.
Return to the saddle
Bookmakers are backing her to make a full-time comeback in the world's most famous race. Nina, the sister-in-law of legendary jockey Ruby Walsh, was herself one of the biggest names in racing. She became the first woman jump jockey to win a top level Grade 1 race in Britain or Ireland when she romped home on Leading Run in the 2006 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival.
Nina rode seven Cheltenham winners and landed the Irish Grand National aboard Organisedconfusion in 2011. Though she made six attempts at the English version at Aintree, she never managed better than seventh.
Charity race at The Curragh
On August 29, she will line up against 18 others at the 1m 4f Pat Smullen charity race at The Curragh in Ireland. It is held in honour of the memory of late jockey Smullen, who died from pancreatic cancer aged just 43 in 2020.
Bookies Ladbrokes reckon Nina will be bitten by the racing bug again. They make Nina a 25-1 shot ride at next year's Cheltenham Festival and 100-1 to take on the Grand National.
Emotional impact
A victory for the comeback queen in the big race would ensure there would be barely a dry eye among 600 million tuning in from around the world to watch. Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, said Nina's comeback had excited and intrigued racing fans. "Nina Carberry's return to the saddle has understandably captured the imagination of racing fans," she said. "It's got punters wondering whether this could be the start of an even bigger comeback."
Every jockey taking part in the charity contest will do so in memory of a family member or pal they lost to cancer – or to support someone living with the disease. The raceday and an associated bike ride have raised more than £1million for Cancer Trials Ireland since 2019.
Smullen's widow Frances said: "The support we continue to see for this day is simply amazing. All the charity riders and cyclists who dedicate their time and train so hard for such an important cause is really heartwarming. Their incredible effort, courage, and spirit is so special to my family and I. Together you are continuing Pat's legacy by helping Cancer Trials Ireland bring real hope to families facing this disease."
Racing fans are desperate to see another top woman jockey triumph in the National following Rachael Blackmore's retirement last year days after she came third on Minella Indo. Rachael, 37, remains the only woman ever to win the race on Minella Times in 2021. She and her jockey husband Brian Hayes welcomed their first child Bowie into the world three months ago. Rachael too has already been spotted back on the gallops riding out for boss Henry de Bromhead.
