Harry Cobden to ride as retained jockey for JP McManus from next season

The role will involve all the 'green and gold' horses in both the UK and Ireland, including reigning Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Inothewayurthinkin, Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File, and in England the Unibet Champion Hurdle contender The New Lion and top two-mile chaser Jonbon.

Speaking from Hereford on Sky Sports Racing, the former champion jockey said: “It’s a massive opportunity for next season and obviously I’m very much looking forward to it.

"It’s obviously nice to even be asked, it was a privilege to be asked, and they have lots of very good horses. I’m looking forward to it."

For Cobden, the chance to ride the McManus horses in Ireland was a key part in the decision.

“That’s obviously where the majority of the green and gold horses are, there’s lots of quality there, so it’s great,” he added.

Before the new job starts, the rider is determined to end his spell as stable jockey to Paul Nicholls on a high.

“I’ve really only had one job in racing and that’s with Paul. I wouldn’t be where I am now without him. The support I’ve had from him and his owners has been unbelievable. Without them an opportunity like this would never have come along because nobody would know who I am," he continued.

“I’d just like to say a massive thank you to Paul and his team. I’ve had a fantastic ten years there and fingers crossed can still ride plenty of winners for them.

"We’ll take it as it comes. This is obviously a big opportunity for me and one I'm very much looking forward to, but I suppose my primary focus between now and the end of the season is not to leave anything behind and do as well as I can on all of Paul’s horses, and ride as many winners as I possibly can.”

Barry Geraghty was McManus' last retained rider until retiring six years ago. The William Hill ambassador is expecting Cobden to be a success in his new role, saying: "

“It’s one of the best jobs in racing. There’s a depth of quality there at all levels, you’ve last season’s Gold Cup and Ryanair winners, The New Lion, Jonbon, a bunch of smart novices and plenty more.

“When I spoke to JP [McManus] and the opportunity arose to work for him, it was an honour to get it. I was probably in a different position [to Harry] as it was offering me the opportunity to ride more back in Ireland.

“It’s a massive opportunity for Harry and I’m sure he will grab it with both hands. It will be different for him riding in Ireland and Britain, but he’s very capable and he won’t have any problem adjusting to that. Harry is a very good rider and I think he is the right type of person to ride for JP. He rides a patient race and JP would rather his horses were ridden patiently than aggressively, so his style should be well suited to the job. He rides well over fences and hurdles and is a good horseman. Like Mark Walsh, he’s a good all-rounder.

“Mark is a brilliant rider and of course rode the Gold Cup and Ryanair winner last season as well as many other Festival winners. Mark is closing in on being 40 now and has achieved a huge amount of success for JP, and Harry will be looking to follow in his footsteps.

“When you get any big job, you have an internal pressure, but as you get used to it and you relax you realise you’re working for someone who has a great understanding of the sport and how it works. It would have been the same for me when I started with Nicky [Henderson] as when I started with JP – you’re not long in the job but you realise how quickly you slot in. JP would take the pressure out of a situation, rather than put pressure on. That’s the way he is to work for.”

More from Sporting Life

• Free bets
• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.