Grand National jockey announces retirement less than 24 hours after Aintree race

One of the riders in has announced his immediate retirement. Nick Scholfield, who is 35, rode in 11 editions of the famous race, achieving his best finishes on Teaforthree, who was third in 2013, and Santini, who was fourth in 2022.

This year he was booked to ride the Jonjo and AJ O’Neill-trained Monbeg Genius for Martin Tedham, who this season took over the ownership of the horse who was originally bought on behalf of as a wedding present for husband Doug Barrowman.

The couple are the subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation into the Barrowman-controlled business PPE Medpro, which was awarded £200m in government contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have denied wrongdoing.

Monbeg Genius, sent off at 50-1, was always towards the rear of the field, took an awkward jump at the 16th fence where he stumbled and was tailed off when pulled up after the third last fence.

Scholfield rode 680 winners from more than 5,500 rides and flourished when working for 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

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Among multiple Grade 1 victories, he rode Melodic Rendezvous to win the 2013 Tolworth Hurdle—his first top-level success. A year later, he won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Irving, and also recorded big wins on Adrien Du Pont and San Benedeto, a winner at the 2017 Grand National Festival.

He was a three-time winner on Hunt Ball (Novices Handicap Chase, 2012), Qualando (Fred Winter, 2015) and most recently on Sky Pirate (Grand Annual, 2021).

Scholfield said: “As a child, all I ever wanted to do was become a jockey, following in my father’s footsteps. I feel incredibly privileged to have ridden professionally and shared the weighing room with some amazing jockeys over the years.

I would like to extend my thanks and express my deep gratitude to so many people who have helped me over the years - the owners, trainers, stable staff, my agents and sponsors. They have all supported me throughout my career, many of whom have been with me since my early days as a 7lb claimer. I’m excited for the next chapter as a trainer!”

Scholfield is in the process of getting his trainers’ license with a view to starting his training career next season.