In a move set to reshape the National Hunt racing landscape, champion jockey Harry Cobden has been handed a monumental career opportunity. The 2024 champion has been chosen by legendary owner JP McManus to become his new retained rider, a role once held by icons like Sir Anthony McCoy.
A Landmark Deal for the Champion Jockey
Harry Cobden has officially signed an agreement to wear the famous green-and-gold silks of JP McManus when the new season commences in May. This prestigious position makes him the principal rider for the most powerful owner in jump racing, with the deal covering stables in both Britain and Ireland. It marks a return to the model used during the eras of Barry Geraghty and Sir Anthony McCoy.
The appointment concludes a period where McManus did not have a formally retained jockey in Britain, with rides typically shared among pilots like Nico de Boinville and Jonjo O'Neill Jnr. In Ireland, Mark Walsh had been the primary choice since Geraghty's 2020 retirement, famously steering Inothewayurthinkin to Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham last March.
Following in the Footsteps of Legends
The link with McManus is historically significant. Sir Anthony McCoy, a firm admirer of Cobden, was the owner's first retained rider in 2004. Their legendary partnership yielded victories like the 2010 Grand National on Don't Push It and the 2012 Gold Cup on Synchronised. Cobden now steps into this elite lineage.
The decision means Paul Nicholls will be without a stable jockey, as his long-standing gentlemen's agreement with Cobden concludes. The 14-time Champion Trainer understood the scale of the opportunity and did not stand in the 26-year-old's way. Cobden was quick to pay tribute, stating his decade with Nicholls was "unbelievable" and foundational to his career.
Implications for the Season Ahead
This strategic acquisition by McManus secures the services of a jockey highly respected by trainers across the UK and Ireland. Cobden's talent was showcased last April with a stunning Scottish Grand National win for Willie Mullins on Captain Coady. He also notched his sixth Cheltenham Festival winner last year aboard Caldwell Potter.
McManus, who has over 350 horses in training, simply said: "I'm delighted to secure Harry Cobden's services for next season." Cobden, who ironically rode a double against McManus-owned horses at Hereford yesterday, called it a "privilege" and is excited for the challenges ahead in both countries.
His immediate focus remains on finishing the current season strongly for Paul Nicholls. "My primary focus... is to not leave anything behind," Cobden told Sky Sports Racing. Looking forward, he will be aiming for major targets like Fact To File's Ryanair Chase defence and reigniting Inothewayurthinkin's form at the Cheltenham Festival.
