Noel Fehily
Noel Fehily (born 24 December 1974) is an Irish professional horse racing jockey.[1] Throughout his professional career, he has enjoyed substantial success including the King George VI Chase and Champion Hurdle, despite enduring significant injuries.[2]
Personal life
In 2007, Fehily married Natasha Chappell at a wedding ceremony in Gougane Barra, County Cork. He has a brother Eamon.[3] Their father was a Cork farmer. Natasha describes him as having a very calm personality, saying: "If he was any more relaxed he'd be asleep."[4] They had their first child, a daughter, Niamh, on September 2, 2012.[5]
Early career
Fehily began his jockey career by working on the Irish point-to-point circuit. His next step was hunter chases, which became the field he ultimately specialised in. So he moved to the UK where he won at Plumpton, in 1998 riding Ivy Boy.[6][1]
In 2001 Fehily became Conditional Jump Jockey Champion.[7] After that he became the number one jockey in Charlie Mann's yard.[8]
Career
In 2005 he became second jockey to Jonjo O’Neill, at the same time, riding for trainer Charlie Mann. Three years later he was successful for Mann on Air Force One at Punchestown Racecourse in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase. He also won the King George VI Chase on Silviniaco Conti and the Tingle Creek Chase on Master Minded. Fehily also had some rides for Paul Nicholls during the time Ruby Walsh was out with injuries or when Walsh was riding for Willie Mullins, most notably winning at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival in the Champion Hurdle on Rock on Ruby.[9] In 2009 he finished fourth in the Jockeys’ table with 89 winners. He had a 21 per cent strike-rate for Emma Lavelle. In 2017 he again won the Champion Hurdle, this time on Buveur d'Air for trainer Nicky Henderson.[10] The following day he also won the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Special Tiara. He rode Minella Rocco in the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup following an injury to Barry Gerraghty. Minella Rocco came second by 2 and 3/4 lengths.
He describes his attitude to jockeying like this: “I let the race happen rather than try and make it happen. It’s much better that way.”[11]
Injuries
As of 2015, in his work, Fehily has sustained a shoulder injury and a horse falling on top of him at Cheltenham.[12] He has endured injuries to both shoulders, a broken leg, as well as a wrist injury.[13]
References
- ^ a b "The second 10 factfiles for the 2017 Randox Health Grand National". racenews. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ "Kauto Star's jockey Noel Fehily has lucky escape after heavy fall". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ Davies, Cerys. "Letter: Noel and Natasha's big day was one to remember". The Free Library. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ O'Brien, John. "Noel Fehily's ability to do the right thing came to the fore again this week". Dunmanway. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Hectic Weekend". Charlie Longsdon Racing. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Noel Fehily Jockey Profile". Gambling Guru. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ O'Brien, John (26 December 2010). "Fehily proves patience isn't his only virtue". amp.independent.ie. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
- ^ Armytage, Marcus. "Noel Fehily patience is finally paying off as Saturday horses arrive". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ Milnes, David. "Noel Fehily appointed first jockey to Lavelle". Racing Post. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "Cheltenham 2017: Buveur D'Air wins Champion Hurdle". BBC Sport. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
- ^ "Donn's Articles: Noel Fehily". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ Green, Graham. "Noel Fehily injured in schooling accident". Racing Post. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ^ "The first Noel: Fehily hopes bad luck is behind him as he seeks to repeat Boxing Day success in King George VI Chase". The Herald Scotland. Retrieved 16 March 2015.