Grade 1-winning jockey Nick Scholfield announces retirement after Grand National ride

Grade 1-winning jockey Nick Scholfield has announced his retirement from the saddle after riding in Saturday's Randox Grand National.

Scholfield, who pulled up his mount Monbeg Genius after the third-last, started his career with multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls, for whom he won the 2014 Fighting Fifth on Irving. The 35-year-old has completed his training modules and plans to start his new career by the end of the year.

He was one of the most experienced jockeys riding in the National, having made his debut in 2008 aboard the Nicholls-trained Cornish Sett. He rode for the 11th time in the race on the Jonjo and AJ O'Neill-trained nine-year-old for long-time supporter Martin Tedham.

Scholfield finished placed in the National twice, when third on Teaforthree in 2013 and fourth on Santini in 2022, and completed the race on all bar three occasions.

Teaforthree (right): finished third in the 2013 Grand National behind Auroras EncoreCredit: Alex Livesey

"It was nice to get a ride in the race and for Mr Tedham, who I rode for for 15-plus years, and there's no better race to have your last ride in," said Scholfield. "It was his dream to have a runner in the National, but unfortunately the ground conditions went against our horse.

"I've ridden for 19 years professionally, so it's a long old time, and it's probably the right time."

Scholfield built a great rapport with Melodic Rendezvous and was aboard the popular Jeremy Scott-trained hurdler for all eight of his victories, including when the jockey gained his first top-flight success in the Tolworth Hurdle in 2013.

Melodic Rendezvous: Grade 1 winner for Nick ScholfieldCredit: Alan Crowhurst

As well as Irving, his other Grade 1 wins came for Nicholls on Adrien Du Pont in the 2016 Finale Juvenile Hurdle and San Benedeto in the Maghull Novices' Chase in 2017.

"I started my time at Paul Nicholls' and had a brilliant time there," Scholfield said. "He got me going and there's no better place. I rode Grade 1 winners and Cheltenham Festival winners for him."

The Devon jockey, whose most prolific season came with 66 winners in 2012-13, was part of the rags-to-riches story of Hunt Ball, on whom he registered his first Cheltenham Festival victory in the novice handicap chase, while he added to his tally with Qualando in the 2015 Fred Winter and the Tedham-owned Sky Pirate in the Grand Annual in 2021.

Sky Pirate: Cheltenham Festival winner for Nick Scholfield and owner Martin TedhamCredit: Getty Images

Scholfield won on his first ride under rules when steering Lou Du Molin Mas to victory in an amateur riders' chase at Newbury in November 2006. In total, he gained 670 British jumps winners and two in Ireland, including Rolling Aces in a Grade 2 at Down Royal, as well as a winner on the Flat when successful in a jump jockeys' race at Goodwood in 2018.

On his training plans, Scholfield said: "I'll stay within the industry and hopefully will be back to some of these meetings again. It won't be until the end of the year and I'll start from the bottom and hopefully work my way up the ladder."

Nick Scholfield

Full name Nick Scholfield

Age 35

Winners under rules in Britain 670

First winner Lou Du Molin Mas, Newbury, November 24, 2006

Best season 2012-13, 66 winners

Grade 1 winners 2013 Tolworth Hurdle (Melodic Rendezvous), 2014 Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Irving), 2016 Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Adrien Du Pont), 2017 Maghull Nov Chase (San Benedeto)

Cheltenham Festival winners 2012 Northern Trust Novice Handicap Chase (Hunt Ball), 2015 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Qualando), 2021 Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Sky Pirate)  

Richest win 2023 Betfair Hurdle (Aucunrisque)

Read these next:

Grand National: 'Nothing can top this' says emotional Willie Mullins as son Patrick claims historic victory on Nick Rockett 

'Out of such sadness, such joy has been born' - the emotional journey that brought Nick Rockett to Aintree glory 

'We planned this over $10 bottles of wine in Australia and missed our restaurant booking' 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.