Legendary jumps jockey to come out of retirement for one of a kind race

LEGENDARY jumps jockey Davy Russell will come out of retirement again to ride in the Leger Legends at Doncaster.

Russell, who retired for the second and final time from day-to-day riding in April, has been lured out one last time for a good cause.

1

The Leger Legends is the only British charity race for former professional jockeys and raises money for National Horseracing College and the Injured Jockeys Fund Jack Berry House.

Russell, a dual Grand National-winning rider, hung up his saddle in December 2022 but that would be short lived.

Russell was persuaded to come back just a few weeks later when Gordon Elliott's stable jockey Jack Kennedy broke his leg.

Davy was a key part of Elliott's operation before his retirement and though drawing a blank at the Cheltenham Festival, he rode three Grade 1 winners in his short comeback.

Two of those came at the Grand National meeting, riding Gerri Colombe and Irish Point to success.

He retired for good after riding in the Grand National and the concluding bumper, but will have one last hurrah at Doncaster.

He told : "I'm looking forward to it; it should be a bit of craic.

"I've been keeping busy. I have a few horses here at home, ponies. I've put on a few pounds but I've not got fat!"

Most read in Horse Racing

FIGHT'S OVER

Henderson makes shock decision as Constitution Hill OUT of Fighting Fifth

ROCKET FOOL

Owner-trainer who gave horses BREAST CANCER drugs fined £60k and given HUGE ban

BANNED

Top jockey and trainer banned and fined for 'schooling' 250-1 shot around race

TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS

Templegate's NAP powered like a Rolls Royce last time and can bolt up

He will join a star-studded list that includes Tom Scudamore, Kieran Fallon, Richard Johnson, Jamie Osborne and Gary Bardwell.

The latter won the race in 2021 on his tenth attempt, while last year's race was won by Sammy-Jo Bell.

FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – 
• Gamble Aware –