Jamie codd

10-time Cheltenham winning rider says he won’t be riding at this year’s Festival in March due to “other commitments”
The “Coddfather” has not retired but is too busy with a number of new roles to make this year’s meeting

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SPORT
ByBrian FlanaganHead of Sport
15:24, 19 JAN 2024

Jamie Codd on Envoi Allen on his way to winning the 2019 Champion Bumper ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
TOP amateur jockey Jamie Codd has ruled himself out of this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The Wexford native has a brilliant record in the Cotswolds and has ridden ten Festival winners — first tasting success in the 2009 Kim Muir Challenge Cup on Character Building.

But he hasn’t ridden in a race anywhere since May 2023, and although not officially retired or injured, he has been taking an indefinite break from riding to concentrate on a number of new roles.

READ MORE: Maughreen owner says any future decision to be left up to Willie Mullins

“It’s all systems go for many in racing as we build towards March, but I won’t be riding at this year’s Cheltenham Festival,” Codd said in his Attheraces blog.

“I haven’t been in action since last May and have been busy with several other commitments, including with my role at Tattersalls.

“At the moment, I don’t have a licence, but the beauty of being an amateur jockey is that if I want to start riding again, I can do so easily.”


Jamie Codd with Envoi Allen celebrates winning ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Codd was something of a prized asset for trainers in the big amateur only races at Cheltenham and is the leading jockey in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir having won it four times — Character Building (2009), Junior (2012), The Package (2015) and most recently on Cause Of Causes in 2016.

He described 2017 Champion Bumper winner Fayonagh as the ‘best horse he’s ever ridden’ and also won the same race on the smart Envoi Allen in 2019.

Codd was crowned champion amateur rider under rules for the first time at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. He rode 41 winners to pip Patrick Mullins by just one winner in a thrilling climax to the title race.

The 42-year-old did retire from riding in point-to-points in 2021 with the second highest number of wins in that sphere of any jockey with an incredible 972 winners.