Two-time Grand National winning jockey, Leighton Aspell, retired yesterday after his final two rides at Fontwell Park.
The 43-year-old was the first person since Brian Fletcher aboard Red Rum to win back-to-back Nationals back in the 1970s. His wins recorded on Pineau De Re in 2014 and Many Clouds the following year.
Riding over 900 winners including a Grade 1 success at Punchestown, he bows out for good with hope of continuing to work within the industry.
He said: “I do some pre-training, but I’m very interested in the handicapping and race-reading side of stuff. I’d be very interested in a job along those lines.”
Here is the announcement from Kempton on Saturday:
Congrats on your retirement Leighton Aspell!
A dual Grand National winning jockey ?#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/fWgLTemXEr
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 22, 2020
Trevor Hemmings jointly holds the record for the most wins in the Aintree feature, Many Clouds is the latest of those three, after Ballabriggs and Hedgehunter.
Admitted by Aspell, the 2015 Grand National victory was his greatest moment in racing. Here it is featured below:
Both of his victories were on 25/1 shots in the race, and Pineau De Re was probably the easier ride, winning by five lengths over Balthazar King.
Aspell enjoyed his best season in 2013/14 when rode 65 winners, and ended this campaign on 47.
