Noel Fehily

Noel Fehily (born 24 December 1975) is a retired Irish professional horse racing jockey.[1] Throughout his professional career, he has enjoyed substantial success including the King George VI Chase and Champion Hurdle, despite enduring significant injuries.[2]

Personal life

In 2007, Fehily married Natasha Chappell at a wedding ceremony in Gougane Barra, County Cork. He has two brothers Eamonn and Micheal who both have achievements in racing and Gaa.[3] Their father was a Cork farmer. Natasha describes him as having a very calm personality, saying: "If he was any more relaxed he'd be asleep."[4] They had their first child, a daughter, Niamh, on September 2, 2012.[5]

Early career

Fehily began his jockey career by working on the Irish point-to-point circuit. His next step was hunter chases, which became the field he ultimately specialised in. So he moved to the UK where he won at Plumpton, in 1998 riding Ivy Boy.[6][1]

In 2001 Fehily became Conditional Jump Jockey Champion.[7] After that he became the number one jockey in Charlie Mann's yard.[8]

Career

In 2005 he became second jockey to Jonjo O’Neill, at the same time, riding for trainer Charlie Mann.[7] In 2008 had his first Cheltenham Festival winner, which was on Silver Jaro. Later that year he won his first Grade 1, which was for Mann on Air Force One at Punchestown Racecourse in the Champion Novice Chase.[7] In the 2008/09 season he came fourth in the Jockeys’ table with 89 winners.

Fehily also had some rides for Paul Nicholls during the time Ruby Walsh was out with injuries or when Walsh was riding for Willie Mullins. Fehily won the Tingle Creek Chase on Master Minded in 2010. He rode Rock On Ruby in the 2012 Champion Hurdle and won after he missed the 2010 and 2011 Cheltenham Festivals through injury.[9][10] In 2013 and 2014 he won the King George VI Chase on Silviniaco Conti.

In 2017 he again won the Champion Hurdle, this time on Buveur d'Air for trainer Nicky Henderson.[11] The following day he also won the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Special Tiara. He rode Minella Rocco in the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup following an injury to Barry Gerraghty. Minella Rocco came second by 2 and 3/4 lengths. Noel retired from racing in 2019, with his final race being in Newbury on the 23rd of March

Injuries

As of 2015, in his work, Fehily has sustained a shoulder injury and a horse falling on top of him at Cheltenham.[12] He has endured injuries to both shoulders, a broken leg, as well as a wrist injury.[13]

Cheltenham Festival winners (6)

Major wins

Republic of Ireland Ireland

United Kingdom Great Britain

References
  1. "The second 10 factfiles for the 2017 Randox Health Grand National". racenews. 1 April 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  2. "Kauto Star's jockey Noel Fehily has lucky escape after heavy fall". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  3. Davies, Cerys. "Letter: Noel and Natasha's big day was one to remember". The Free Library. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  4. O'Brien, John. "Noel Fehily's ability to do the right thing came to the fore again this week". Dunmanway. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  5. "Hectic Weekend". Charlie Longsdon Racing. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  6. "Noel Fehily Jockey Profile". Gambling Guru. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  7. O'Brien, John (26 December 2010). "Fehily proves patience isn't his only virtue". amp.independent.ie. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  8. Armytage, Marcus. "Noel Fehily patience is finally paying off as Saturday horses arrive". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  9. J. A. McGrath (14 March 2012). "Cheltenham Festival 2012: Noel Fehily delivers Champion display on Rock On Ruby". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  10. Milnes, David. "Noel Fehily appointed first jockey to Lavelle". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  11. "Cheltenham 2017: Buveur D'Air wins Champion Hurdle". BBC Sport. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  12. Green, Graham. "Noel Fehily injured in schooling accident". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  13. "The first Noel: Fehily hopes bad luck is behind him as he seeks to repeat Boxing Day success in King George VI Chase". The Herald Scotland. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
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