Flying high at 50: jockey Niall McCullagh enjoying remarkable resurgence

One of the more unlikely talking points to emerge from Derby weekend at the Curragh was the resurgence of 50-year-old jockey Niall McCullagh, who rode three winners across the meeting, including in two premier handicaps.

The season didn’t exactly begin with a bang, but Classic-winning rider McCullagh, who won the 2012 Irish St Leger on Royal Diamond, enjoyed a magnificent June, riding eight winners in 11 days, and he has enjoyed his upturn in fortunes.

"It's a great game," said McCullagh. "I couldn't get a winner at the beginning of the season and then I rode eight in 11 days – I suppose it's a bit like buses, you wait all day and then a whole pile come at once.

“I was having a poor season up until recently and now everyone I meet is complimenting me on the great year I'm having. From having a poor year just over a month ago I'm suddenly having a great one, which shows you how quickly things turn."

Niall McCullagh (left) celebrates after War Diary's win at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann

Still, McCullagh is under no illusions and appreciates some of the trainers and owners he rides for may want to call upon a bigger name on the big days.

He said: "I'm gone to a stage where if a trainer has a nice horse and the owner wants a Colin Keane or one of the top lads I have no issue about standing aside but if they can't get them then happy days.

"There's always the next day and I have to be realistic in that I'm 50 years of age. I don't get offended if I get the jock and I just enjoy it when it all comes together, like when it did at the Curragh over the weekend."

McCullagh's golden fortnight

Rides 28
Wins 8
Strike-rate 29 per cent
Level-stakes profit £43.25

McCullagh rode his first winner at Listowel in 1987 and has lasted a lot longer than most jockeys could dream of – he has even ridden against his son Scott, now based in England, on a number of occasions.

Even after suffering a serious injury on the gallops in 2015 the thought of retiring has never really crossed his mind. He said: “It's the only thing I can do and I do it well. I don't have any weight problems and I'm fit.

"Listen, when I had 85 rides without a winner I was starting to get a bit itchy and I was thinking to myself, 'Jaysus, this isn't great', but the fire is still in the belly and to get a winner is what it's all about.

Big weekend: Agent Zigzag and Niall McCullagh win a premier handicap at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekendCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“Be it a claimer at Ballinrobe, which I got last week for John Oxx, or a premier handicap at the Curragh, they mean the same to me and that's the truth. I always had confidence in myself I can do the job as long as I can get on the horses so we just need to keep the head down, keep trying and keep working."

He added: "I had a couple of slow seasons in 2009 and 2010. I think I rode about nine winners each year and I'd considered giving up but my fortunes changed in 2011 when I won a couple of big races for John Oxx – the 2011 Doncaster Cup [on Saddler’s Rock] and the Group 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh [on Manieree].

“When I'm not doing well I wither and when I'm going well I blossom, it's always been that way. Some lads can take the bad runs better than others but you need a little sugar now and again and when you get a winner you just ride better. When you get a few together, your confidence is up and things sort of flow a bit better for you as well.

“There's no doubting I went out of fashion for a while and I came a bit back into fashion after those wins. I've been holding my own ever since and I've been making a good living and enjoying it.

“I always said that I'd retire when I was 50. I remember when Chris [Hayes] and I were riding in India during the winter I'd say, 'Chris, as soon as I turn 50 that's me gone,' but I've no intention of retiring because I'm enjoying it too much.”

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