Harry Cobden Named JP McManus’s No.1 Jockey
JP McManus has confirmed that English rider Harry Cobden will be his new No.1 jockey in Ireland and Britain from May, ahead of the next National Hunt season.
Cobden (27) follows in the footsteps of AP McCoy, McManus’s top jockey until 2015, and succeeds a period where Mark Walsh has ridden many of McManus’s horses in Ireland. From next season, Cobden will get first pick across McManus’s extensive string in both countries.
The alliance is notable – Cobden, nicknamed ‘Hollywood Harry’ for his ITV appearances, contrasts sharply with the famously private Irish owner. Walsh, who landed last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup on Inothewayurthinkin, will continue riding McManus horses in Ireland this season.
McManus’s comment on the move was succinct: “I’m delighted to secure Harry Cobden’s services for next season.” Cobden, however, spoke more freely ahead of racing at Hereford:
“It’s a massive opportunity for next season and obviously I’m very much looking forward to it. It’s obviously nice and a privilege to be asked. It’s a huge position, they’ve got lots of very good horses and I’m looking forward to it. Ireland is obviously where the majority of the green and gold horses are. There’s lots of quality there, it’s great.”
Cobden, champion jockey in Britain in 2023/24 and winner of 1,000 races in Britain, has ridden winners for Irish trainers, including last season’s Scottish Grand National on Willie Mullins’s Captain Cody. He has spent his career with Paul Nicholls and remains focused on that role until the McManus arrangement begins:
“I’ve really had one job in racing and that’s with Paul Nicholls, so I wouldn’t be where I am today without him… I’d just like to say a massive thank you to Paul and all his team because I’ve had the most fantastic 10 years there and fingers crossed, I can still ride plenty of winners for them.”
Cobden has already ridden 13 winners in McManus silks, and speculation will continue over potential Irish bases and Cheltenham link-ups. Walsh’s 14 Cheltenham Festival wins, including the 2019 Champion Hurdle with Espoir d’Allen, underline the owner’s enduring success.
