'He is some man' - meet the 64-year-old trainer who is returning to the saddle

Have you heard the one about the 50-year-old Italian jockey who has won six Group 1s this year? Of course you have.

Have you heard the one about the 54-year-old Irish jockey who has won a British Classic and the St James's Palace Stakes this season? Thought so.

But how about the 64-year-old trainer who is set to return to the saddle at Sligo on Sunday to try to win his first race since 1988? Thought not.

The name shown on your race card as Mr W J Burke, claiming 7lb, is actually Liam Burke – the popular Grade 1-winning trainer and father of top jump jockey Johnny.

Burke is best known for his training exploits with the likes of Thyne Again, Galway Plate hero Sir Frederick, Thyestes winner My Murphy and Sumos Novios, but in the 5.25 at Sligo on Sunday he will bid to bridge a 33-year gap since he won a handicap hurdle at Killarney on a horse called Take Beating when he gets the leg over Shumard.

5.25 Sligo racecard

Burke, who not only trains the five-year-old but also part-owns him along with Frank Hayes, told the Racing Post: "I'm 64 and a half – a year and a half from the bus ticket! I was crippled for years with my knees, but I got my two knees done.

"I wasn't fit to ride anything before, but I feel like doing it now. I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't go with strange women – this is my kick!"

Shumard is not where this heartwarming story ends either, as this particular evergreen and energetic jockey wants more.

"I've a few of them to ride, a few of my own to ride over the summer. One I hope might even win a race. I'm going to ride him when the time comes." Any chance of his name, Liam? "No," he laughed.

Burke has ridden 17 winners under Rules and 38 in point-to-points and has not ridden publicly since taking part in a charity race at Listowel more than 20 years ago.

So, what does his son make of it all? Johnny, who rode Sizing John to win a Grade 1 and is now based with Tom George. Unsurprisingly, he was shocked when he got wind of his father's latest notion.

Johnny Burke: 'I rang to congratulate him and he said 'you were all laughing at me. You're not laughing now'.'Credit: Patrick McCann

Johnny said: "I got a call from someone to say he spotted him at RACE doing the course. I told him it couldn't have been him, no way. He had runners at Limerick that day so it couldn't have been him. I rang him to find out and, would you believe it, it was him!

"Then someone sent me a picture of the Racing Calendar two weeks ago and there was his name in it after being granted a qualified riders' licence. I rang to congratulate him and he said 'you were all laughing at me. You're not laughing now'."

Johnny will not make it to Sligo on Sunday, but there will be no more interested observer on Racing TV.

"I'll be watching closely with my critical eye and I won't hold back on the criticism, let me tell you. It's time to get my own back!" he laughed.

"All joking side, he is some man. He rides out three or four lots a day and he's always the hardest to pass on the gallop. He keeps very active and that's why he's able to do this.

"He drove the box to Kilbeggan on Friday evening, Limerick on Saturday and then on to Sligo on Sunday. Fair play to him. That's some going."

Some going indeed. Best of luck, Liam.

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday